Study: PFAS Contamination Of Breast Milk Is 'Universal'
The scourge of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), colloquially known as “forever chemicals” because of their long-lasting presence in the environment, is one of the most prevalent drinking water contaminant issues on the radar of treatment facilities. But recent research shows that the chemicals are not just being consumed through drinking water.
“A new study that checked American women’s breast milk for PFAS contamination detected the toxic chemical in all 50 samples tested, and at levels nearly 2,000 times higher than the level some public health advocates advise is safe for drinking water,” The Guardian reported. “‘The study shows that PFAS contamination of breast milk is likely universal in the U.S., and that these harmful chemicals are contaminating what should be nature’s perfect food,’ said Erika Schreder, a co-author and science director with Toxic Free Future.”
PFAS have been used in the production of many industrial products, like food packaging, cooking products, and firefighting foam. Water systems around the country have found their elevated presence in influent, and some communities have attempted to instill stricter regulations around their presence in drinking water. And the U.S. EPA may soon consider passing limits of PFAS.
But this recent study seems to indicate that pregnant women are becoming exposed to PFAS directly from manufactured goods.
The solution to this exposure and to the problem faced by drinking water treatment operations appears to be the same: A ban on the use of these compounds in the first place.
“The compounds’ ubiquity makes them all but impossible to avoid, and Schreder said that the best solution is a virtual ban of the entire chemical class” per The Guardian.
And it appears that the researchers behind the study (as well as many drinking water regulators) agree with that assessment.
“In light of their results, the research team say that more must be done to protect the health of mothers, infants and the wider public,” according to a Green Queen report on the study. “While there have been some moves towards regulations to ban use of PFAS in the U.S. and Europe, current rules have generally failed to prevent PFAS from being used to make a wide range of consumer products.”
To read more about the potential of regulating PFAS in drinking water, visit Water Online’s PFAS Solutions Center.