Texas A&M AgriLife scientists have conducted the first generalized U.S. study on public awareness of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. The study found that most Americans lack knowledge about these substances and the potential risks associated with them.
PFAS are a category of thousands of manufactured chemicals that pose a growing concern to both the environment and human health. They are often referred to as “forever chemicals” due to the strong bonds between carbon and fluorine molecules, making their removal and breakdown challenging.
Lead author of the study, Allen Berthold, Ph.D., who is also the Interim Director of the Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI), stated, “This is the first survey of its kind, and what we found is that the vast majority of people do not have a clear understanding of PFAS.” The study was published in the journal PLOS ONE.
PFAS compounds have been widely used in various industries and products since the 1940s, including fire extinguishing foam, nonstick cookware, food wrappers, and many other consumer goods. These compounds have also been detected in food and water supplies.
In March, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a national standard for PFAS in drinking water. However, most consumers remain unaware of the issue and the need to ensure their water supplies are free from unsafe levels of PFAS.
2023-11-17 11:41:03
Original from phys.org