Scientists are warning us that a new harmful pollutant known as PFAS, is everywhere. So far, it has been found in landfills, drinking water, soil, air, wildlife, food, and even our bloodstream.
A biophysical chemist named Arlene Blum is an executive director working in the Green Science Policy Institute. She tells the public and the Congress about why PFAS is a bad pollutant.
In NPR’s new article about PFAS, it says, “Short for “per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances,” PFAS are a class of thousands of man-made chemicals that have been around since the 1940s.”
PFAS is also called “forever chemicals”, which means they are here for a long time. This leads to widespread contamination because they do not break down.
The CDC says that manufacturers use PFAS in many everyday products. Some of them are, outdoor gear, non-stick pans, food wrappers, and makeup.
PFAS are good and bad. Arlene Blum says, “They’re the best in that they’re very useful at keeping thigs dry, keeping grease out of things. But they’re the worst because… they never break down, and all of the ones that have been researched have been found to be harmful.”
The EPA said in 2016 that PFAS was not a big threat if you do not use that much. Now they are saying that PFAS is harmful, even if you only have a little bit. The EPA said, “PFAS still pose risks at levels so low that they’re not detected.”
PFAS is very unhealthy. Scientists have been saying that the PFAS can be harmful to many places in your body.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry says, “Exposure to PFAS may lead to higher risk for kidney or testicular cancer, increased cholesterol levels, and damage to the liver and immune system.”
A journal called Hypertension released a study that middle-aged women can have high blood pressure if they have PFAS.
Although everyone probably has PFAS in their body, not everybody will have these side effects.
A biophysical chemist named Arlene Blum is an executive director working in the Green Science Policy Institute. She tells the public and the Congress about why PFAS is a bad pollutant.
In NPR’s new article about PFAS, it says, “Short for “per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances,” PFAS are a class of thousands of man-made chemicals that have been around since the 1940s.”
PFAS is also called “forever chemicals”, which means they are here for a long time. This leads to widespread contamination because they do not break down.
The CDC says that manufacturers use PFAS in many everyday products. Some of them are, outdoor gear, non-stick pans, food wrappers, and makeup.
PFAS are good and bad. Arlene Blum says, “They’re the best in that they’re very useful at keeping thigs dry, keeping grease out of things. But they’re the worst because… they never break down, and all of the ones that have been researched have been found to be harmful.”
The EPA said in 2016 that PFAS was not a big threat if you do not use that much. Now they are saying that PFAS is harmful, even if you only have a little bit. The EPA said, “PFAS still pose risks at levels so low that they’re not detected.”
PFAS is very unhealthy. Scientists have been saying that the PFAS can be harmful to many places in your body.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry says, “Exposure to PFAS may lead to higher risk for kidney or testicular cancer, increased cholesterol levels, and damage to the liver and immune system.”
A journal called Hypertension released a study that middle-aged women can have high blood pressure if they have PFAS.
Although everyone probably has PFAS in their body, not everybody will have these side effects.
