Trappe Water

What Are PFAS and Why Are They Harmful?

Studies have shown that PFOA and PFOS, two members of the PFAS family of chemicals, are harmful to human, animal, and aquatic life.

PFAS chemicals have been used in consumer products, industrial processes, and manufacturing since the 1940s. They have been shown to have harmful reproductive, developmental, and immunological side effects.

As a result, environmental testing requirements for PFAS are emerging in the U.S. in both state and federal jurisdictions to help protect human health and preserve the environment.

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A Brief History of PFAS Use and Discovery

PFOA was first mass-manufactured by 3M in 1947, and DuPont began using it to make Teflon in 1951. In 1953, PFOS was accidentally spilled on a chemist’s shoe at 3M, which led to the discovery that the coating repels oil and water and to the creation of Scotchgard.

In the 1960s, the U.S. Navy and 3M developed a firefighting foam containing PFOS and PFOA. In the 1970s, various airports, military sites, and firefighters began using the product. Around this same time, it was discovered that PFAS was toxic to animals and humans.

In the 1980s, the U.S. Navy discovered these contaminants were harmful to aquatic life, and 3M detected PFAS in the blood of its employees. DuPont also discovered that PFOA could pass from mother to unborn baby.

In 1999, the battle against the use and manufacturing of these chemicals began. The USEPA and 3M found PFOS contamination in blood banks. A farmer in West Virginia sued DuPont after his cattle mysteriously died near a DuPont plant where tons of PFOS were dumped into a local landfill. This disposal polluted the Ohio River and the drinking water supply for more than 80,000 people. The spotlight was on the manufacturers to do better to protect public health.

In 2000, 3M stopped production of PFOA and PFOS but began creating new “short-chain” PFAS formulations. The industry believed these to be safer alternatives. “Long-chain” and “short-chain” refer to the number of fluorine atoms in the compounds.

In 2005, the EPA concluded PFOA was a likely human carcinogen, and in the following year, EPA encouraged all manufacturers to stop making long-chain PFAS. DuPont agreed but began producing short-chain varieties instead.

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Why PFAS Are Called “Forever Chemicals”

Since 2009, the EPA has been working to implement limits of PFAS in drinking water. Forms of PFAS are estimated to be present in the blood of 98% of Americans, detected at many military sites, and present in hundreds of drinking water supplies in excess of EPA’s health advisory.

PFAS are often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down in the environment and bioaccumulate in humans. Scientists estimate it could take hundreds, or even thousands, of years for PFAS to break down naturally in the environment.

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Everyday Exposure: How PFAS Affect You

Americans are exposed to PFAS from a variety of sources every day, including:

• Drinking contaminated water
• Eating fish from contaminated waterways
• Inhaling dust or soil
• Eating food packaged with PFAS materials
• Exposure to consumer products like:
  • Non-stick cookware
  • Stain-resistant carpets
  • Water repellent clothing