The PFAS Dilemma – Our Societal Problem
A lot of us have heard about – or experienced first-hand – the class of toxic “forever chemicals” known as “PFAS”. Toxic, because the USEPA has just released interim health goals of 0 for human consumption. Forever because they break down very slowly in the environment.
New Hampshire led the country setting drinking water standards for four (4) of the many-hundreds PFAS species. These standards range from 11 to 18 parts per trillion (ppt), roughly 1,000 times lower than most other drinking water standards. With hard work, technical expertise and commitment to health, public water providers use local, State and federal funds to build and operate systems that meet these new standards.
Analysis by Batelle (see p. 3) indicates that most of us currently have hundreds of times more PFAS (1.56 parts per billion; ppb) and PFOS (4.72 ppb) in our blood than allowed in drinking water (1 ppb = 1,000 ppt). As shown in the picture above, PFAS are widespread and have been for decades. The result is many of us are “contaminated” by our modern lifestyles.
Public drinking water operators are committed to protecting customer health by meeting drinking water quality standards, and consuming clean and affordable public water is a great way to reduce PFAS in our bodies. However, treating PFAS to vanishingly low concentrations in drinking water is an inefficient and expensive approach that we all pay for.
To remove PFAS and other manmade chemicals we need to address contamination at the source – in the food we buy, the personal care products we choose, and many other products that we purchase. Honesty and clarity in product labelling, more rigorous enforcement of manufacturing and product approval, and educated consumers will help rid us of PFAS and other societal, forever chemicals.
Please support your local pubic drinking water provider by learning more about how they meet water quality standards. Remember – they are treating a problem that they did not cause – and serve the community you live in! You can make an even bigger difference by helping to remove PFAS and other toxic chemicals from our modern way of life.
Win with Water! is an informational series to raise awareness and provide actionable steps to public water system managers, administrators, and policy makers.