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What you need to know about toxic “forever chemicals” the EPA is restricting

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Monday, April 22, 2024

Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Nearly 50 public water systems across Texas have reported exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s first-ever limits on toxic chemicals in drinking water known as PFAS. The EPA released the new standards earlier this month, aimed at reducing five individual “forever chemicals.” These chemicals are used to make nonstick cookware, stain and water repellent clothing and firefighting foam. They have also been linked to certain types of cancer, birth defects, damage to the liver and immune system. Public water systems will need to regularly monitor, detect and remove PFAS from drinking water, according to the EPA’s new guidelines. Here’s what you need to know about the forever chemicals: What are PFAS?  PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, belong to a family of chemicals used to make products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. They have been used in industry and consumer products worldwide since the 1940s. They’ve earned the name “forever chemicals,” because they don’t break down and can persist in water and soil indefinitely. Some estimates list more than 12,000 types of individual PFAS. The EPA says this makes it challenging to study and assess the potential human health and environmental risks. Where have PFAS been detected? Tests have found PFAS in the blood of people and animals all over the world, according to the EPA. The agency said most people in the U.S. have been exposed to some PFAS by touching, drinking, eating, or breathing in materials containing the chemicals, including nonstick cookware and some cleaning products. They have been found in public drinking water systems and private drinking water wells, at landfills, disposal sites, and hazardous waste sites. They are also found in fish caught from water contaminated by PFAS and dairy products from livestock exposed to PFAS. How do I know if my water is contaminated with PFAS?   According to a 2023 study by the U.S. Geological Survey, at least 45% of the nation's tap water is estimated to have one or more types of PFAS. If you get your water from a public drinking water system, reach out to your local water utility and ask them to test the water for PFAS, said Treavor H. Boyer, a professor of engineering at Arizona State University. More than 400 public water systems have tested for PFAS and more than 100 have found some level of PFAS in their water, including nearly 50 that found levels above the EPA’s new limits. Many public water systems have not been tested yet. Under the new EPA standards, they will be required to complete their initial testing for these chemicals within three years and share the results with the public. If your local water system has tested for PFAS, ask for the results and how they may be addressing PFAS in drinking water. How do PFAS get in drinking water? Boyer, who researches technologies to remove these chemicals from water, said a major source of PFAS contamination is fire training and response because PFAS is found in firefighting foam. “Unfortunately there wasn't any thought before that [PFAS] would run off the pavement, and work through the soil, and eventually go to groundwater,” Boyer said. “There's probably locations where it runs into lakes and rivers too.” He said another big major source of PFAS contamination are chemical manufacturers discharging it into water sources and products that contain PFAS — such as nonstick cookware and stain-resistant carpeting — ending up in landfills. What are the health risks of PFAS? According to the EPA and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, exposure to certain levels of PFAS may lead to decreased fertility or increased high blood pressure when pregnant. It can also lead to developmental effects such as low birth weight, accelerated puberty or behavioral changes. PFAS has also been linked to increased cholesterol and obesity and to certain types of cancers, including prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers. Research is still ongoing by scientists at EPA, ATSDR and around the world to better understand the potential health effects of PFAS exposure over long periods of time. EPA is also studying the health effects associated with low levels of exposure over long periods of time in children. How do I reduce exposure to PFAS? Boyer said the first step is educating yourself on which products are made with PFAS. His tips also include avoiding non-stick cookware. Most non-stick products contain PFAS. Try stainless steel or a cast iron instead. “Any type of nonstick or stain repellent type product, a consumer should scrutinize it,” Boyer said. The Green Science Policy Institute and the Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute at Northeastern University recommends buying PFAS-free products. They have a list of PFAS-free products that includes apparel, shoes, cosmetics, baby products and others. How can PFAS be removed from drinking water? If you’re concerned about PFAS in your drinking water, consider installing in-home water treatment filters where the main water line enters the home. EPA researchers are studying the effectiveness of household water filters, but has identified three technologies to remove certain PFAS from at home drinking water: Activated carbon absorption: using carbon to attract and trap the PFAS for removal Reverse osmosis: purifying water by using pressure to force water through an extremely thin barrier that separates chemicals from the water Ion exchange: tiny beads that act like powerful magnets to attract and hold the contaminated materials from passing through the water system You can also try water pitchers with filters. The nonprofit Environmental Working Group published a study last year that identified four water pitcher filters that can remove certain PFAS by nearly 100%. That list includes: Travel Berkey, Zero Water, Clearly Filtered and Epic Water Filter. The price of the water filters range from $20 to $330 and EWG has a guide on the pros and cons of each in-home water filtration system. Be aware when looking for home filters. A filter may list claims for PFAS reduction on its outer packaging, but may not actually work. The EPA has tips for checking the certification of water filtration systems. “The best advice is to make sure you pull a filter out of these certified lists, because then you know it has undergone a degree testing,” said Jennifer Guelf, an assistant professor at Texas Tech University who has researched PFAS remediation in drinking water systems for 15 years. “PFAS is a huge class of contaminants. We can not say with a degree of certainty that these water filters remove all PFA, but they are precautionary and people’s best bet.” Disclosure: Texas Tech University has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. Tickets are on sale now for the 2024 Texas Tribune Festival, happening in downtown Austin Sept. 5-7. Get your TribFest tickets before May 1 and save big!

The EPA recently set new limits on the toxic chemicals used to make everything from nonstick pans to firefighting foam. Here’s how to protect yourself and your family.

Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.

Nearly 50 public water systems across Texas have reported exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s first-ever limits on toxic chemicals in drinking water known as PFAS.

The EPA released the new standards earlier this month, aimed at reducing five individual “forever chemicals.” These chemicals are used to make nonstick cookware, stain and water repellent clothing and firefighting foam. They have also been linked to certain types of cancer, birth defects, damage to the liver and immune system. Public water systems will need to regularly monitor, detect and remove PFAS from drinking water, according to the EPA’s new guidelines.

Here’s what you need to know about the forever chemicals:

What are PFAS? 

PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, belong to a family of chemicals used to make products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. They have been used in industry and consumer products worldwide since the 1940s. They’ve earned the name “forever chemicals,” because they don’t break down and can persist in water and soil indefinitely.

Some estimates list more than 12,000 types of individual PFAS. The EPA says this makes it challenging to study and assess the potential human health and environmental risks.

Where have PFAS been detected?

Tests have found PFAS in the blood of people and animals all over the world, according to the EPA. The agency said most people in the U.S. have been exposed to some PFAS by touching, drinking, eating, or breathing in materials containing the chemicals, including nonstick cookware and some cleaning products.

They have been found in public drinking water systems and private drinking water wells, at landfills, disposal sites, and hazardous waste sites. They are also found in fish caught from water contaminated by PFAS and dairy products from livestock exposed to PFAS.

How do I know if my water is contaminated with PFAS?  

According to a 2023 study by the U.S. Geological Survey, at least 45% of the nation's tap water is estimated to have one or more types of PFAS.

If you get your water from a public drinking water system, reach out to your local water utility and ask them to test the water for PFAS, said Treavor H. Boyer, a professor of engineering at Arizona State University.

More than 400 public water systems have tested for PFAS and more than 100 have found some level of PFAS in their water, including nearly 50 that found levels above the EPA’s new limits. Many public water systems have not been tested yet. Under the new EPA standards, they will be required to complete their initial testing for these chemicals within three years and share the results with the public.

If your local water system has tested for PFAS, ask for the results and how they may be addressing PFAS in drinking water.

How do PFAS get in drinking water?

Boyer, who researches technologies to remove these chemicals from water, said a major source of PFAS contamination is fire training and response because PFAS is found in firefighting foam.

“Unfortunately there wasn't any thought before that [PFAS] would run off the pavement, and work through the soil, and eventually go to groundwater,” Boyer said. “There's probably locations where it runs into lakes and rivers too.”

He said another big major source of PFAS contamination are chemical manufacturers discharging it into water sources and products that contain PFAS — such as nonstick cookware and stain-resistant carpeting — ending up in landfills.

What are the health risks of PFAS?

According to the EPA and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, exposure to certain levels of PFAS may lead to decreased fertility or increased high blood pressure when pregnant. It can also lead to developmental effects such as low birth weight, accelerated puberty or behavioral changes. PFAS has also been linked to increased cholesterol and obesity and to certain types of cancers, including prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers.

Research is still ongoing by scientists at EPA, ATSDR and around the world to better understand the potential health effects of PFAS exposure over long periods of time. EPA is also studying the health effects associated with low levels of exposure over long periods of time in children.

How do I reduce exposure to PFAS?

Boyer said the first step is educating yourself on which products are made with PFAS. His tips also include avoiding non-stick cookware. Most non-stick products contain PFAS. Try stainless steel or a cast iron instead.

“Any type of nonstick or stain repellent type product, a consumer should scrutinize it,” Boyer said.

The Green Science Policy Institute and the Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute at Northeastern University recommends buying PFAS-free products. They have a list of PFAS-free products that includes apparel, shoes, cosmetics, baby products and others.

How can PFAS be removed from drinking water?

If you’re concerned about PFAS in your drinking water, consider installing in-home water treatment filters where the main water line enters the home.

EPA researchers are studying the effectiveness of household water filters, but has identified three technologies to remove certain PFAS from at home drinking water:

  • Activated carbon absorption: using carbon to attract and trap the PFAS for removal
  • Reverse osmosis: purifying water by using pressure to force water through an extremely thin barrier that separates chemicals from the water
  • Ion exchange: tiny beads that act like powerful magnets to attract and hold the contaminated materials from passing through the water system

You can also try water pitchers with filters. The nonprofit Environmental Working Group published a study last year that identified four water pitcher filters that can remove certain PFAS by nearly 100%. That list includes: Travel Berkey, Zero Water, Clearly Filtered and Epic Water Filter. The price of the water filters range from $20 to $330 and EWG has a guide on the pros and cons of each in-home water filtration system.

Be aware when looking for home filters. A filter may list claims for PFAS reduction on its outer packaging, but may not actually work. The EPA has tips for checking the certification of water filtration systems.

“The best advice is to make sure you pull a filter out of these certified lists, because then you know it has undergone a degree testing,” said Jennifer Guelf, an assistant professor at Texas Tech University who has researched PFAS remediation in drinking water systems for 15 years.

“PFAS is a huge class of contaminants. We can not say with a degree of certainty that these water filters remove all PFA, but they are precautionary and people’s best bet.”

Disclosure: Texas Tech University has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

Tickets are on sale now for the 2024 Texas Tribune Festival, happening in downtown Austin Sept. 5-7. Get your TribFest tickets before May 1 and save big!

Read the full story here.
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Nanotech Scientists Build on an Insect’s Odd Soccer Ball-Like Excretions to Design Ingenious Camouflage

Artificial versions of nanoscale soccer-ball-like structures called brochosomes might be used to make new forms of military camouflage, self-cleaning surfaces or hydrogen fuel

January 2, 20255 min readNanotech Scientists Build on an Insect’s Odd Soccer Ball-Like Excretions to Design Ingenious CamouflageArtificial versions of nanoscale soccer-ball-like structures called brochosomes might be used to make new forms of military camouflage, self-cleaning surfaces or hydrogen fuelBy Ivan Amato edited by Gary StixScience Photo Library/Alamy Stock PhotoIn the early 1950s biologists at Brooklyn College were using an electron microscope to pursue a lead that the leafhopper, a common insect that is about the size of a rice grain and named after one of its signature behaviors, could be an agent of viral transmission. In their research, the scientists incidentally observed, in their words, “certain ultramicroscopic bodies, hitherto undescribed,” on the wings of leafhoppers. In a 1953 note in the Bulletin of the Brooklyn Entomological Society, they dubbed these minuscule, spherical, jacklike structures “brochosomes,” after a Greek word meaning “mesh of a net.”Since then a thin but determined line of scientists and engineers has built a brochosome-anchored hyperspecialty. These researchers are drawn to these subpinpoints of highly structured matter by the biological wonders they embody and the technological possibilities their elaborately porous forms and physical properties suggest. Brochosome aficionados do not hesitate to share their delight at having run across such an evolutionary tour de force.“Our group first became intrigued by brochosomes around 2015, drawn to their nanoscale dimensions and intricate, three-dimensional buckyball-like geometries,” says Tak-Sing Wong, a biomedical and mechanical engineer at Pennsylvania State University. “We were amazed by how leafhoppers can consistently produce such complex structures at the nanoscale, especially considering that even with our most advanced micro- and nanofabrication technologies we still struggle to achieve such uniformity and scalability.”On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.As much as anyone interested in these structures, Wong has been working to channel his brochosome envy into the creation of a cabinet of technological curiosities based on brochosomes’ knack for absorbing specific ranges of visible and ultraviolet wavelengths. Wong, with his partners at Penn State and Carnegie Mellon University, has been granted two U.S. patents and has others pending for processes to manufacture synthetic counterparts to brochosomes.Wong says the synthetic brochosomes are potentially suitable for a range of applications, including antireflection and camouflage materials, anticounterfeiting, data encryption and an “optical security,” tactic in which hidden information becomes visible only when it is illuminated with, say, infrared or ultraviolet light. The researchers have been able to garner grant money from the Office of Naval Research, which is always on the lookout for the next way to make it harder for adversaries to detect and track naval vessels, aircraft and other U.S. military assets.Much of the recent brochosome-inspired R&D around the world, Wong notes, derives from the ultra-antireflective upgrade that nature-made brochosomes add to leafhoppers’ body. It’s not just cool optical physics: this trick of the light renders the insects stealthy on leaf surfaces where hungry insects, birds and spiders scan for prey.Some of the forays into brochosome biology have revealed that these natural nanoscale innovations are composed of proteins and lipids that get assembled into the stealth-making nanospheres within specialized compartments of the insects’ Malpighian tubules, which are kidneylike excretory organs. With their hind legs, the insects groom their entire little selves with brochosome-packed microdroplets from their anus, resulting in light-absorptive cloaks that help them live another day.But the nanospheres are good for more than just concealment. In a recent addition to the growing list of concepts and prototypes of brochosome-inspired technologies, Wong’s Penn State team joined Carnegie Mellon University researchers, led by mechanical engineer Sheng Shen, with an eye to delivering new materials not just for camouflage but for novel security and encryption devices as well. The technology leverages people’s inability to perceive infrared light.As the researchers were making measurements of optical and other physical aspects of synthetic brochosomes, they noticed that “while these structures appeared identical under visible light, they exhibited dramatic contrasts in infrared imaging,” Shen says. And that sparked an encryption- and security-technology idea, which the researchers now are pursuing. The team is asking whether it might be possible to encode infrared information invisibly within the visible spectrum. A small dot of such an infrared-active brochosome material on currency could serve as a signature of authenticity and add an additional hurdle for would-be counterfeiters.Researchers have explored a half-dozen ways of fabricating synthetic brochosomes of various sizes and geometries. Through the use of different polymeric, ceramic and metallic materials, the cabinet of brochosome-inspired technocuriosities is only becoming more eye-catching.A team of Chinese researchers who are brochosome fans recently reported a process for making a vivid spectrum of color-bestowing particles by filling tiny indentations—“nanobowl” spaces—on silver brochosome structures with tiny polystyrene spheres. 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Maryland Sues Maker of Gore-Tex Over Pollution From Toxic 'Forever Chemicals'

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Maryland is suing the company that produces the waterproof material Gore-Tex often used for raincoats and other outdoor gear, alleging its leaders kept using “forever chemicals” long after learning about serious health risks associated with them.The complaint, which was filed last week in federal court, focuses on a cluster of 13 facilities in northeastern Maryland operated by Delaware-based W.L. Gore & Associates. 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Health

The Story of Plastic

A searing expose uncovering the ugly truth behind the global plastic pollution crisis. Striking footage shot over three continents illustrates the ongoing catastrophe: fields full of garbage, veritable mountains of trash; rivers and seas clogged with waste; and skies choked with poisons from plastic production and recycling processes with no end in sight. Original animations, interviews with experts and activists, and never-before-filmed scenes reveal the disastrous consequences of the plastic flood around the world – and the global movement rising up in response.

Chemicals
Pollution
Crisis

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