Concerns over so-called “forever chemicals” have been around for years, but recent research indicates that such compounds are often present in troubling concentrations in tap water.
The chemicals, also known as polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS, have long been used in the production of packaging materials, nonstick cookware, and many other commonly used products. While they offer effective heat- and water-resisting properties, these synthetic compounds do not easily break down and can contaminate the air, water, and soil.
Furthermore, there is evidence that ingesting PFAS can have serious negative health consequences, including liver damage, abnormal hormone levels, increased cholesterol, obesity, and cancer.
According to a report released by the U.S. Geological Survey on Wednesday, nearly half of the tap water analyzed contained forever chemicals — even though the study only looked for 32 of the more than 12,000 known types of PFAS.
“USGS scientists tested water collected directly from people’s kitchen sinks across the nation, providing the most comprehensive study to date on PFAS in tap water from both private wells and public supplies,” explained lead author Kelly Smalling. “PFAS concentrations were similar between public supplies and private wells.”
Earlier this year, American Academy of Endocrinology certified member Dr. Keith Nichols offered a stark assessment of the impact that these chemicals are having on society, citing “increased morbidity across the board with low testosterone.”
Testosterone levels have been steadily dropping over the past four decades, and Nichols said that an increase in chemicals is a key culprit.
“We are being chemically castrated by our environment,” he said.
At least 45% of the nation’s tap water could have one or more types of the chemicals known as #PFAS, according to a new USGS study. This study is the first to analyze PFAS in tap water from both private and public supplies broadly throughout the US. #water https://t.co/S2WteG9R26 pic.twitter.com/zz85IqZwni
— USGS (@USGS) July 5, 2023
Other experts, including International Medical Research Collaborative President Anthony Jay, have been similarly sounding the alarm in recent years.
In 2017, he wrote a book that looked at, among other things, the ways that chemicals in the water supply are making humans sick.
Responding to the latest research, Jay opined: “These chemicals should not have been legal to begin with. Our municipal water suppliers are good at killing viruses and bacteria but they are not good at filtering out hormone-disrupting chemicals. People absolutely need to filter their own drinking water, these days, ideally with a filter containing activated charcoal.”
