A comprehensive look at PFAS dangers and protections.
Keren Landman reports for Vox.
In short:
- Sandy Wynn-Stelt discovered high levels of PFAS in her drinking water after her husband died of liver cancer, prompting her to investigate further.
- The Environmental Protection Agency has recently set national limits for PFAS in water, but this does not fully address the broader issues of chemical industry regulation.
- Medical experts emphasize the difficulty in both assessing and managing PFAS exposure, despite growing concerns about its health impacts.
Key quote:
"The number of PFAS that are going out into our environment under the aegis of trade secrecy is very substantial."
— Alan Ducatman, retired physician.
Why this matters:
Understanding PFAS is important as they are linked to serious health issues like cancer and immune disorders. The ongoing struggle to regulate these chemicals effectively involves a need for informed consumer choices and stricter industrial accountability. Read more: Everything you need to know about “forever chemicals” and how to avoid them.
