In 2018, the CDC conducted research on per-and-polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) exposure in areas confirmed to have the compound in their drinking water, specifically towns near active or formerly active military bases. Their report showed ties between PFAS exposure and increased risk of developing major health problems, such as thyroid disease, liver damage, cancer, decreased fertility, and asthma. The report also advised an exposure limit to PFAS that was 10 times lower than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recommendation.
Fast-forward to 2020 and the EPA has included, for the first time ever, reports on PFAS in their yearly Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). The data was pulled from approximately 21,000 federal and industrial facilities that manufactured, processed, or likewise used above a certain quantity of TRI-associated chemicals. Typically the TRI report includes information on chemical release, chemical waste management, and pollution reduction activities; however, the 2020 National Defense Act called for the EPA to take a closer look at PFAS.
The preliminary results found that these facilities handled over 700,000 pounds production-related waste of PFAS in 2020 alone.
What is PFAS Exactly?
The acronym is an umbrella term for manmade chemicals that contain carbon and fluorine atom backbone. You’re most likely to find PFAS in items such as fast food wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, water-resistant clothing, cleaning products, stain resistant carpet and fabrics, grease-resistant paper, and most commonly known in nonstick cookware. It became popular in the 1950s and 1960s as it was used in many products, such as Scotchgard™, due to its resistance to heat, water, and oil. However, the danger arises when it is used in industrial processes, such as firefighting foam, which can seep into the environment and groundwater, as was found in the report.
What Makes PFAS So Dangerous?
You’ve heard the old wives tale that it takes 7 years for gum to break down in the body, right? Similarly, PFAS takes a long time to break down because it does not occur naturally in nature. This means our bodies struggle to break it down as well. Exposure to PFAS could cause both humans and animals alike to experience build up in the organs and tissues, alongside the risks previously mentioned.
Environmental Remedies’ Response
Because of the lack of long-term research on PFAS, regulations are still in their infancy. Hopefully, with more years of research and more detailed regulation, we will have a better understanding and response tactic against this chemical compound. Whatever the case, Environmental Remedies is staying on top of PFAS updates and will adjust our practices to ensure operations continue unhindered.