What Are PFAS Chemicals and Why Should We Be Concerned About Them? Wendy C. Kasten, Ph.D. Over the last year or so, many of us started hearing about PFAS. Local news carried stories about PFAS chemicals detected in the water supply in wells, including some in Waldo County. However, the  of PFAS chemicals and the concerns about health risks go far beyond the contamination in some Maine wells. I learned some of this by accident while investigating dental appliances for safety. Some years ago, we also heard about Teflon coatings in cookware causing health problems. The amount of information I discovered was alarming. Being an academic but not in the sciences, I have prepared this article in consultation with public representatives from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. I am citing heavily to demonstrate the authoritative sources that are posting this critical information. Let’s begin with a definition. What is PFAS? PFAS is a family of man-made chemicals, which have been used in manufacturing for decades. “As early as the 1940’s, PFAS (mostly PFOA and PFOS earlier on) became widely used in household products and industrial settings. These chemicals were also historically used in firefighting foams due to their effectiveness at quickly extinguishing petroleum-based fires. Because they have a unique ability to repel oil, grease, water and heat, PFAS chemicals are used in many common products that we regularly use. For example, they have been used to make non-stick cookware, stain-resistant carpets and furniture, water-resistant clothing, heat-resistant paper/cardboard food packaging (like microwave popcorn and pizza boxes), and some personal care products. PFAS breaks down very slowly and is persistent in the environment. This means that PFAS may build up in people, animals, and the environment over time. Health agencies are working to understand more about the health effects of low level, long-term exposure.” (https://www.maine.gov/dep/spills/topics/pfas/index.html). Why should we be concerned? The chart below lists the possible health issues that have been associated with PFAS chemical use in household products. Potential Health Impacts from PFAS Decreases in fertility or increases in high blood pressure in pregnant women Reduced ability of the body’s immune system to fight infections including reduced vaccine response Child development effects including low birth weight, accelerated puberty, bone variations, or behavioral changes Increased risk of some cancers including prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers Interference with the body’s natural hormones Increased cholesterol levels and/or risk of obesity (https://www.maine.gov/dep/spills/topics/pfas/index.html). What is the State of Maine doing about PFAS? Maine may be among the first states to attempt to identify and regulate PFAS for the benefit of our health. Here is the new law. “In July 2021, Public Law c. 477, An Act To Stop Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Pollution (LD 1503, 130th Legislature) was enacted by the Maine Legislature. This new law requires manufacturers of products with intentionally added PFAS to report the intentionally added presence of PFAS in those products to the Department beginning January 1, 2023. The law also prohibits the sale of carpets or rugs, as well as the sale of fabric treatments, that contain intentionally added PFAS beginning on January 1, 2023. Effective January 1, 2030, any product containing intentionally added PFAS may not be sold in Maine unless the use of PFAS in the product is specifically designated as a currently unavoidable use by the Department.” The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has identified 34 Maine communities that require further investigation for higher than safe levels of PFAS in the environment. I think we all need to know this, as some of them are in Waldo County. I have highlighted those in yellow. The 34 towns that have sites with high-priority testing sites are: Albion Auburn Benton Bowdoinham Brooks Canaan Charleston Chelsea Corinna Corinth Dayton Exeter Fairfield Gorham Gray Houlton Jackson Knox Leeds Lewiston Littleton Ludlow Minot Palermo Presque Isle St. Albans Sidney Skowhegan South Windham Thorndike Unity https://www.mainepublic.org/health/2021-10-22/maine-dep-identifies-34-towns-with-high-priority-sites-pfas-chemicals-testing What Does this Have to Do with Me? Do you floss your teeth? There’s a very high possibility that the floss you are using contains PFAS chemicals – perhaps at very high, unacceptable levels. I first came across this information on the National Institute of Health (NIH) website and was shocked that the floss which ranked highest on levels of PFAS was the one I had just bought (Oral-B Glide). At your next visit to your dentist, ask if he or she is aware of this. This summarizes the problem. “People who use certain types of dental floss may absorb toxic chemicals that have been linked with heart disease and cancer, according to a new study. The study found that women who flossed with Oral-B Glide floss had higher levels of a chemical called perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) in their blood than women who didn’t use that type of floss.” (https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/dental-floss-harmful-chemicals/) Where Else in My House Might There be PFAS? Probably many or most women reading this have a sports bra, yoga pants, or leggings somewhere in their closet. Not only do we wear these things, but also we wash them, and any chemicals in them will end up in our groundwater supply. See the quote below. “Recent testing of a range of yoga and athletic clothes marketed for women from common brands like Under Armour, Gap, and Adidas found that more than two-thirds of sports bras and a quarter of leggings tested contain fluorine—an indicator for PFAS.” (https://www.ehn.org/pfas-clothing-2656587709.html) *Here are a few other products that may contain PFAS, and senior citizens may want to avoid. They include: Non-stick cookware, such as Teflon Microwave popcorn (PFAS in the bag) Wrappers used in fast food restaurants to wrap sandwiches, hamburgers, etc. Cake mixes (the PFAS may be in the box) Waterproof apparel Stain-resistant applications put on carpets or upholstery Takeout containers Candy wrappers Shampoo Eye makeup Paint and varnish Pesticides Adhesives Insulation on wiring *(This list was compiled from State websites dealing with environmental protection) In summary, let’s be aware, ask questions, and feel extremely fortunate that we live in a state where this now pervasive health issue is being addressed. Probably we will continue to hear more about PFAS, as more studies are completed and disseminated. If you have concerns about your well and feel it should be tested for PFAS chemicals, please contact the Maine Rural Water Association (MRWA) by email at pfasassistance@mainerwa.org. |
PFAS!
Dr. Wendy C. Kasten, Writer 