How safe is the water we drink? Many people are unaware about the chemical PFAS. PFAS has been linked to health problems such as cancer, metabolism disorders, and reproductive problems, to name a few. Monica Amarelo with The Environmental Working Group (EWG) states “PFAS are known as forever chemicals because they do not break down in the environment and build up in our blood and organs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has detected PFAS in the blood of 99 percent of Americans, including newborn babies.”
Recent studies on drinking water have shown that PFAS (polyfluorinated alkyl substances), are in at least 45% of U.S tap water, and that the water we drink contains at least one of the 12,000 discovered PFAS in a U.S. geology survey. “EWG estimates there could be nearly 30,000 industrial polluters releasing PFAS into the environment, including into sources of drinking water.” The EWG stated. Consumers can also take action to protect themselves: The existence of PFAS in drinking water is essentially inevitable, however there are ways that we can filter out these chemicals; The EWG recommends four water filters based off quality, price, and effectiveness: travel Berkey, zero water, clearly filtered, and Epic water filter. It is also critical to look out for PFAS in wax products, and any product that resists grease, water, and oil, according to the CDC.
Grayson Rae, Sophomore at Park City High School
