The article from EPA.GOV website – discusses per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of chemicals widely used in various industries and consumer products since the 1940s. PFAS, including well-studied compounds like Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS), have been found in water, soil, air, and various products, raising concerns due to their slow breakdown and potential accumulation in living organisms.
PFAS can be present in drinking water, soil near waste sites, fire extinguishing foam, manufacturing facilities, food, food packaging, household products, personal care items, and biosolids from wastewater treatment plants. Due to their pervasive use, most people in the United States have been exposed to PFAS, with potential health effects.
Exposure to PFAS can occur through various means, such as working in certain occupations, drinking contaminated water, consuming certain foods, swallowing contaminated soil or dust, breathing air with PFAS, and using products made with or packaged in PFAS-containing materials.
Scientific research suggests that exposure to certain PFAS may lead to adverse health outcomes, including reproductive and developmental effects, increased cancer risk, immune system interference, hormonal disruption, and elevated cholesterol levels. However, understanding the specific health effects is challenging due to the vast number of PFAS, varying exposure routes, and changes in PFAS types and uses over time.
Certain individuals, such as industrial workers and those living near PFAS-producing facilities, may have higher exposure levels. Additionally, children may be more vulnerable to PFAS due to their developmental stage, increased consumption relative to body weight, and behaviors like crawling and mouthing objects.
The article from EPA.GOV website ongoing research to determine the full extent of health effects associated with PFAS exposure, especially in children and over long periods. It concludes by noting that, based on current science, the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the risks for infants exposed to PFAS in breast milk, but mothers should consult with their doctors to weigh the risks and benefits.
