A team of European researchers last week claimed that the presence ofPFAS made it dangerous to drink rainwater from any part of the world published a study (commonly called "the eternal chemical").
The study, completed by a team of researchers from Stockholm University and his ETH Zurich, was published Tuesday in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Science and Technology. The study claims that levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in rainwater exceed established US guideline values for what is considered "safe."
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In a press release, the study's investigators also noted that as scientists learn more about human toxicity, guideline values for PFAS in drinking water, surface water, and soil will increase. 22} dramatically decreased”. and wildlife.
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He mentioned that the acceptability of (PFOA) is a prime example. , because that guideline value in the United States has decreased by a factor of 37.5 million over the past 20 years.
The researcher reports that his levels of PFAS in the environment are now "above guideline levels everywhere."
According to the Canadian government, there are thousandsman-made substances that are PFASs, many of which are commonly used as surfactants, lubricants, and repellents. PFAS are found in firefighting foams, textiles, cosmetics and food packaging.
Coming into contact with PFAS is dangerous — through drinking water, food, and more.
"PFAS are associated with a wide range of serious health consequences, including cancer, learning and behavior problems in children, infertility and pregnancy complications, elevated cholesterol, and immune system problems.
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Researchers admit 'industry' doesn't drink rainwater, but 'many people around the world believe rainwater is safe' We expect it to be drinkable, and rainwater supplies many of our drinking water sources.”
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According to the study, even in the most remote regions of the world, such as Antarctica and the Tibetan Plateau, rainwater is still contaminated with unsafe levels of PFAS.
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Despite major manufacturers phasing out PFAS at the international level, the study found , claims that atmospheric levels of some harmful PFASs have not declined.
“Although PFAS are known to be highly persistent, their continued presence in the atmosphere is due to the nature and nature of their continuous circulation from the surface environment to the atmosphere. It is also due to the process,” the press release reads.
"The extreme persistence and constant global circulation of certain his PFASs will continue to exceed the above guidelines," said Martin, a co-author of the study. Scheringer said.
According to this study, until recently, it was commonly believed that PFAS would eventually flow into the ocean, where it would be diluted over decades. Researchers argue that this is not true, instead arguing that the presence of PFAS in the ocean could exacerbate the situation.
They argue that ocean-bound PFAS "They argue that it can be significantly concentrated in sea spray aerosols (SSA), transported through the atmosphere and returned to shore, where it can be deposited and contaminate freshwater, drinking water, and surface soils.
73} This cycle leads to a continued excess of PFAS in the environment, the study argues."Thus, the global spread of PFAS is now causing environmental media everywhere to exceeds environmental quality guidelines designed to protect human health, and there is little that can be done to reduce PFAS contamination," Scheringer said.
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"In other words, it makes sense to define PFAS-specific planetary boundaries, which the paper concludes. As I put it, this boundary has now been crossed.”
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In a press release, Jane Munke, managing director of the Swiss Food Packaging Forum, who was not involved in the study, said companies are using PFAS.
"While it pollutes the drinking water of millions and causes serious health problems, it also benefits some economically." There is no such thing as being in the US," Munch said.
"The enormous cost of reducing PFAS in drinking water to safe levels based on current scientific understanding must be paid by the industries that manufacture and use these toxic chemicals." The time to act is now."
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