We all want to do our best to stay healthy and keep harmful chemicals out of our bodies. In the world we live in, however, this seems to have become more and more difficult as the years have gone on. We can find traces of chemicals in nearly everything we eat, touch, and interact with, and it’s a concerning trend. 

Perhaps you’ve heard of the terms PFAS, PFOS, PFOA, and forever chemicals. But what do these things mean, and how do they affect your health? If you haven’t heard of them, you have almost certainly consumed them in some way, so it’s important to know what they are and how they may be negatively affecting your body. 

What are PFAS?

PFAS are also commonly used in fast food wrappings, bakery wrappings, stain-resistant furniture, stain-resistant carpets, water-repellent clothing, personal care products, and cosmetics. They’ve been heavily used in these and similar products for over 60 years. It was in 1946 that the company DuPont began using PFAS to manufacture Teflon, and the chemicals have only recently become more regulated. 

These chemicals do not degrade or break down in the environment, and they also stick around in our bodies for years. In fact, PFAS have been found in the blood of the majority of the population; they have even been found in newborn babies and placentas. Before we’re even born, our bodies are exposed to these chemicals. 

Under the umbrella of PFAS are chemicals called perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and they have been found to be some of the most dangerous PFAS. Becuase of the increased danger associated with these chemicals, they have largely been phased out in the United States. However, you may still find them in older products that contain PFAS or in products that are manufactured outside of the United States. For example, most Teflon made in the United States was made without PFOA beginning in 2013, though the material still contains other PFAS. 

Why are PFAS dangerous?

PFAS are dangerous for a variety of reasons. Exposure to these chemicals can lead to increased risk of certain cancers, including prostate cancer, kidney cancer, and testicular cancer. They are also associated with reproductive and fertility issues, pregnancy complications, developmental problems in children, loss of bone density in children, accelerated puberty, immune system problems, ulcerative colitis, and thyroid disease. 

More specifically, PFOS, of the the PFAS chemicals, can cause birth defects, reproductive harm, and cancer. Studies in humans have shown an increased risk of testicular cancer, kidney cancer, thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer with increased exposure to PFOS. 

The effects of PFOA, another one of the PFAS chemicals, are equally devastating. Possible negative effects of exposure to PFOA include lower antibodies in babies and kids, low birth weight, kidney cancer, high cholesterol in adults, and increased liver enzymes in adults. 

Obviously, we want to avoid exposure to PFAS as much as possible, but one of the main problems with these chemicals is that they are so hard to avoid. In fact, they’re so prevalent and hard to get rid of that they have led to contamination of groundwater and drinking water. With such a high level of exposure, it’s unsurprising that they are a large threat to our health and that they are ubiquitous not only in our environment but in our bodies as well. 

PFAS and water contamination

Even if you make a conscious effort to stay away from products that contain PFAS, it’s highly likely that you still have some level of exposure. It has recently been found that groundwater across the United States is heavily contaminated with PFAS. This is largely due to the chemicals being released during manufacturing and disposal, and even simply where the chemicals are used. Contamination is more likely near military bases, industrial sites, and airports. 

Once PFAS are spilled or leaked, they easily spread to lakes and reservoirs via runoff. It’s not just groundwater, either. Over 2,500 locations across the United States are known to have PFAS water contamination, including drinking water. It’s estimated that PFAS water contamination affects at least 19 million people, though the actual number is probably much higher. 

There have been a large number of PFAS water contamination lawsuits over the past couple years. With millions of people affected by the forever chemicals and the wide array of devastating effects, it’s no wonder lawsuits are mounting. If you believe you have been negatively impacted by PFAS water contamination, an experienced lawyer can help.