They are in the rain that falls on our fields, in the packaging of our food, and in the water that flows from our taps. „Forever chemicals,“ or PFAS, are not a distant environmental problem—they are a silent part of our lives. And while the name may sound alarming, the real truth about these chemicals and their pervasive impact on our health and environment is even more alarming than most people realize. This article reveals five of the most important and surprising findings about PFAS from the latest scientific studies and reports to help you understand why this topic is so urgent.

„The "eternity" in eternal chemicals is frighteningly literal

What makes per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) so persistent is their chemical structure. These synthetic chemicals are built on the carbon-fluorine bond, which is the strongest chemical bond in organic chemistry. As the Massachusetts Medical Society notes, „nothing in nature can break this bond,“ which is why they are called „forever chemicals.“.

This extreme resistance has led to their ubiquity. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, PFAS have been found in the blood of 97 percent of Americans. A large national study in the U.S., reported by Earth.com, further estimates that at least 45 percent of U.S. tap water contains one or more of these chemicals. This means that exposure is no longer just a question of „if,“ but „how much.“.

„If you think you’re not exposed to PFAS, you’re dead wrong.“ — Michigan resident in community testimony to the National Academy of Sciences in 2019

Substitutes are no safer – they reveal a broken system

When concerns began to emerge about the two most well-known PFAS, PFOA and PFOS, the chemical industry introduced substitutes, such as GenX, that were presented as „safer“ alternatives. But it turned out to be a dangerous cycle.

According to a toxicity review by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), reported by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), GenX is „almost as toxic to humans as what it replaced.“ In fact, DuPont, the company that developed GenX, provided the EPA with test results that showed GenX caused cancer in laboratory animals. This case highlights a fundamental flaw in the regulatory system, where new chemicals can be brought to market without adequate and independent safety testing.

„The system is upside down: instead of the burden of proof being on the EPA to prove that chemicals like GenX are safe, the chemical industry should be responsible for testing the safety of its products before they are put on the market.“ — David Andrews, Ph.D., senior scientist at EWG

The Link Between Your Tap Water and Toxins in Your Blood Is Now Alarmingly Clear

Until now, the link between contaminated water and PFAS levels in the body has been largely conjecture. However, a recent study cited on Earth.com has confirmed this assumption with alarming accuracy. The research directly linked higher levels of PFAS in drinking water to higher levels of the chemicals in people's blood.

The study yielded concrete numbers: 7.1 percent of residents in areas with high exposure to PFAS in their water had blood levels above 20 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). In areas with low exposure, the number was just 2.8 percent. Why is this 20 ng/mL limit important? According to guidelines from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), levels above this limit pose an „increased risk of adverse effects.“ These effects include kidney cancer, reduced infant growth, abnormal cholesterol, and a reduced immune response.

The health risks are specific and serious, including cancer

General warnings about health risks often lose their force, but in the case of PFAS, the evidence is specific and compelling. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently upgraded PFOA to a „human carcinogen“ and classified PFOS as a „possible human carcinogen.“.

Studies conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have confirmed strong links:

• Exposure to PFOA is associated with an increased risk of kidney cancer (renal carcinoma).
• Elevated levels of PFOS in the blood are associated with an increased risk of testicular cancer, as found in US Air Force personnel who were frequently exposed to firefighting foam containing PFAS.

In addition to cancer, PFAS are also linked to liver damage, thyroid disease, obesity, and fertility problems, according to sources from the Massachusetts Medical Society and the European Environmental Agency.

There is no „safe“ level of exposure

Perhaps the most disturbing finding is the conclusion of scientists and regulators. According to materials from the Massachusetts Medical Society, citing the EPA: „According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) there is no safe level of exposure to PFAS".

What does this mean in practice? As with lead, benzene, or radiation, adverse health effects can be observed at any level of exposure. Although regulatory agencies such as the EPA and the EU set legally binding limits for drinking water and food—for example, the EPA’s new limit is 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS—these limits are risk reduction tools, not safety declarations. Thus, these limits do not represent a „safe“ limit, but rather a legally enforceable goal for water treatment systems to minimize public health risk within technological and economic feasibility. The basic scientific understanding is that no level is completely risk-free.

What now?

While the information about PFAS is undoubtedly concerning, being informed is the first and most important step to protecting yourself, your family, and advocating for change. If you are concerned, here are some practical steps you can take:

1. Check the water quality report: Contact your local water supplier and request the latest quality report, which should include information about PFAS testing.
2. Consider using a water filter: Certified filters, especially those with granular activated carbon (GAC) or reverse osmosis systems, can effectively reduce PFAS levels in your drinking water.
3. Discuss with your doctor: If you have serious concerns about your exposure, for example because of your job or where you live, discuss the possibility of blood testing for PFAS with your doctor.

The question is no longer, whether we are exposed to. The question is, what responsibility do we have – as individuals and as a society – to translate this knowledge into a demand for safer products and cleaner water for future generations? JRi