Water Pollution

Drinking water contaminated by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a widespread public health concern, and exposure–response relationships are known to vary across sociodemographic groups. However, research on disparities in drinking water PFAS exposures and the siting of PFAS sources in marginalized communities is limited. Here, we use monitoring data from 7873 U.S. community water systems (CWS) in 18 states to show that PFAS detection is positively associated with the number of PFAS sources and proportions of people of color who are served by these water systems.

A new study found high levels of toxic “forever chemicals” in freshwater fish nationwide. Compared to store-bought fish, the fish examined in the study had an average of nearly 280 times more of these toxic chemicals called PFAS. Particularly high levels were found in fish caught in urban areas.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse class of aliphatic organofluorine compounds that include thousands of precursors that can be abiotically and biotically transformed into terminal perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA) of known health concern.   Widespread human exposures to PFAA through drinking water and dietary sources have been associated with many deleterious health outcomes.

Pollution of air, water, and soil is responsible for at least 9 million deaths each year. More than 60% of pollution-related disease and death is due to cardiovascular disease. Recognizing the importance of pollution to human health, the European Commission and the EU Action Plan for 2050: A Healthy Planet for All, have determined that air, water, and soil pollution must be reduced to levels that cause no harm to human or ecosystem health.

Perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFASs—a group of toxic chemicals linked with health issues such as cancer, immune system problems, and thyroid disease—will likely be subject to new regulations in Massachusetts in 2020.