PFAS
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, are a class of up to 10,000 human-made fluorinated organic chemicals. The chemicals can be found in food, drinking water, living organisms and a wide range of consumer and industry products, including water-resistant fabrics and carpeting, pizza boxes, cleaning products, paints and firefighting foams. Due to their resistance to grease, oil, water, and heat, inability to break down over time and tendency to accumulate in the environment and humans, they are also known as “forever chemicals.”
In 2018, the federal government published a comprehensive and controversial toxicology review of perfluoroalkyls chemicals and their human health effects, upending previous federally accepted standards for exposure to PFAS. Epidemiological studies link exposure to PFAS to adverse health effects. State governments have often moved faster than the federal government to regulate PFAS substances. Recent lawsuits from state lawmakers allege PFAS manufacturers, primarily 3M, DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva are responsible for PFAS contamination of local drinking water in several states.
Illustrations by Saloni Kothari
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Read more about PFAS
Study Finds Limited PFAS Levels in Face ...
MedTruth Editors · May 9, 2022
Researchers found eight of the nine masks tested did not exceed safe PFAS exposure levels.
Research + FindingsDuPont Avoids PFAS Lawsuit in New York
MedTruth Editors · January 18, 2022
Suez Water New York claims DuPont contaminated New York’s water supply with PFAS.
Legal DevelopmentsHow Many Types of PFAS Exist?
MedTruth Editors · October 12, 2021
While PFOA and PFOS have been well documented as harmful, many companies are switching to a new PFAS chemical: GenX.
Health FeaturesPFAS Lawsuits Centered in Georgia Have National Implications
MedTruth Editors · October 6, 2021
Last week, a federal judge in Georgia issued a ruling on one of the cases that could affect PFAS litigation throughout the nation.
Legal DevelopmentsMaine To Ban Products With PFAS Chemicals
MedTruth Editors · September 13, 2021
Maine’s law will forbid the sale of products with PFAS chemicals.
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