What is PFAS?
Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are highly stable man-made chemicals that have properties that allow them to repel water and oil. Different PFAS have different lengths and/or different properties at one end, which can alter the toxicity of the chemical.
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) are the most common PFAS (PFOS). To acquire detailed information about pfas contamination go through https://watercontaminationlawsuits.com/.
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Where are they?
The grease and water repellent properties of these substances allow them to be applied to almost any material to make them water, oil, and dirt repellent. This property was first exploited commercially in the 1950s and is used in a variety of consumer products including carpets, clothing, non-stick pans, paints, varnishes, waxes, cleaning products and food packaging. Firefighters and the military use it to extinguish the foam.
PFAS is not easily degraded in the environment and is soluble in water. As a result, PFAS concentrations are very low in many environmental areas. Higher levels are found in water supplies near facilities that produce, dispose of, or use PFAS.
How can I be exposed to PFAS?
PFAS exposure can occur through:
- public water systems and wells for drinking water, soil and outdoor air near industrial areas with frequent production, disposal, or use of PFAS
Indoor air or dust in rooms with carpets, textiles and other consumer products treated with PFAS to prevent staining
Surface water (lakes, lakes, etc.) or groundwater runoff or infiltration from areas where fire fighting foam is normally used (e.g. military or civilian airports)
Fish from polluted reservoir
Grocery products sold in the market
food packaging