Forever Chemicals (PFAS)
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a large, diverse group of man-made chemicals that include PFOA, PFOS, and many others. Known as “forever chemicals” due to their extreme persistence in the environment and the human body, they have been in use since the 1940s.
Key Characteristics
- Persistence: Virtually indestructible; do not break down naturally.
- Ubiquity: Found in water, soil, air, and consumer products.
- Bioaccumulation: Build up in human and animal tissues over time.
Recent Analysis: Toxic PFAS in Water
Source: Toxic PFAS in Water: Contamination, Health Risks, and Removal Strategies
- Origin: Man-made chemicals originating from the late 1940s.
- Core Issue: Pervasive contamination of water supplies due to the inability of standard treatment to remove them.
- Focus Areas:
- Mechanisms of water contamination.
- Documented health risks associated with exposure.
- Emerging strategies for removal and mitigation.
Health Risks
- Increased cholesterol levels.
- Changes in liver enzymes.
- Decreased vaccine response in children.
- Increased risk of kidney and testicular cancer.
- Pregnancy complications (e.g., high blood pressure, preeclampsia).
Removal Strategies
- Activated Carbon: Granular or powdered forms can adsorb some PFAS.
- Ion Exchange: Effective for removing specific types of PFAS from drinking water.
- Reverse Osmosis: High-pressure filtration that removes a significant portion of PFAS.
- Advanced Oxidation Processes: Emerging technologies targeting breakdown of chemical bonds.