Forever Chemicals: The effects of PFAS and how to protect against it

Science with a Twist

⚡PFAS stands for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances. Simply put, PFAS are man-made compounds synthesized in a laboratory. ''They were first made in the 1940s. Teflon was one of the very first developments of PFAS. PFAS is a universe of chemicals useful for lots of different consumer and industrial applications over the last 60 to 70 years. These include things like firefighting foam, stain repellents on carpets and textiles, and also mist suppressants to protect workers in chromium plating activities.''

⚡We all have the right to clean water, hence the necessity for testing it for PFAS. Although we can get exposed to PFAS in all sorts of ways, we are primarily interested in determining whether our drinking water supplies have been exposed to these chemicals. ''Water is one of the things that we all require. We can be exposed to PFAS through food and contact with materials that contain PFAS. But we all have to drink water, and because of the mobility and the persistence of PFAS, it's important for us to understand this base level exposure that we could potentially have from our water supplies.''

⚡Over 96% of Americans have PFAS in their blood. The statistics may seem concerning, however, Dr. Ferguson shares advice on how we can minimize exposure to these chemicals. ''My kids and wife always tell me I cook like an 80-year-old grandmother. I use cast iron pots, stainless steel, and no Teflon in the kitchen. Also, choose a water filter that can help to remove PFAS. And then, in terms of the products you buy, things like clothing. Try to avoid things that have fluoridated stain repellents on them. That does a couple of things. First of all, it protects you because you've chosen a material that doesn't contain PFAS, but it also puts pressure on the manufacturer.''