www.CommonDreams.org
A new study published today in Environmental Science & Technology Letters identifies at least 57,000 sites potentially contaminated with the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. The potentially contaminated sites included places where PFAS-laden firefighting foam was likely released; certain industrial facilities; sites related to PFAS-containing waste; military sites and airports.
In addition, the Environmental Working Group (“EWG”) published a paper last year in the American Water Works Association’s journal Water Science identifying 41,862 potential dischargers of PFAS.
The Environmental Protection Agency proposed in June a new lifetime health advisory for the PFAS chemicals PFOA, PFOS, PFBS and Gen-X . Dr. Andrews of EWG stated that “As PFAS are found to be harmful at lower and lower levels, it is critically important to identify sources of potential contamination and take steps to protect downstream communities who may be unwittingly exposed.”