Millions of people every day turn on their taps and blindly trust the water coming out of it – to the point that they believe their water is drinkable. Municipal water treatment plants are designed to remove harmful bacteria and contaminants, but there are mounting concerns regarding new chemicals that may be going unnoticed by conventional filtration systems. These substances, known as “per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances” (PFAS), are linked to cancer and other health problems, raising concerns over the safety of what comes out of household taps.
The Silent Invaders
PFAS chemicals have earned the ominous nickname “forever chemicals” because of their persistence in both the environment and human bodies. Their synthetic compounds are incredibly durable over time, and accumulate in water sources, soil, and even other living things. Forever chemicals been used since the 1940s in many products such as non-stick cookware, water-resistant fabrics, food packaging, and firefighting foams. Their unique molecular structure gives them water-repelling and water-attracting properties, which makes them great for manufacturing but absolute menaces when found in our water supply. Since their use is so prevalent, they’ve made their way into tap water systems all over the country, usually without residents knowing.