Carcinogens Detected in Drinking Water Across 19 States

There are some easy things you can do to protect your health and livelihood, like not getting behind the wheel of a car if you’ve been drinking or abstaining from smoking whenever possible. But there are still ways that you can unintentionally expose yourself to toxins in your environment. Waterkeeper Alliance recently released a report warning that they found carcinogens in the drinking water of several states.

What Are Carcinogens?

Carcinogens are compounds that cause cancer. Prolonged exposure to them poses a great health risk. Some states, like California, have laws requiring businesses to post warnings if they use carcinogens or have them on-site at their factories. Certain carcinogens are common knowledge; we now know that cigarette usage is linked to lung cancer, for example. But others aren’t so obvious.

You’ve likely heard of “forever chemicals”: chemicals that don’t break down in the environment but instead linger indefinitely. One set of forever chemicals is per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). According to the National Cancer Institute, “Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), the most well-studied PFAS, was first classified in 2014 as a possible human carcinogen, and in 2023, the working group upgraded PFOA to a human carcinogen.”

Where Do PFAS Come From?

Waterkeeper Alliance warns that PFAS come from many sources, and live in your home in places you may not have thought were possible. They’re found in “nonstick cookware, personal care products, stain-resistant fabrics, and firefighting foam.” Factories, airports, military bases and landfills all contribute to the PFAS that make their way into the soil and water.

You might think that the contaminants in the water system can be cleared out by wastewater treatment plants, but you’re sadly mistaken. Waterkeeper Alliance explains that “wastewater treatment plants …receive PFAS-contaminated water from industries, homes, and landfills, but most are not equipped to fully remove these chemicals.” This means that the PFAS end up in the “discharged effluent and accumulate in sewage sludge—the solid byproduct of wastewater treatment.” This is their ticket back into the environment, as much of this sludge ultimately becomes fertilizer. And, as Waterkeeper Alliance explains, “once in the environment, PFAS travels through air, water, and soil—eventually contaminating drinking water, food, and even household dust.”

Which States Have Carcinogens in Their Drinking Water?

The most recent Waterkeeper Alliance study shows that the following states had detectable levels of PFAS in their water:

• Alabama
• California
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Georgia
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• Texas
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin

The organization is encouraging people around the country to pressure Congress and the EPA to protect Americans from these carcinogens.

Source

• PFAS | The Unseen Crisis: Uncovering ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Our Waters, Waterkeeper Alliance.
• PFAS Exposure and Risk of Cancer, National Cancer Institute, 2024.

Related

• The 5 States Where Winter Driving Is Most Dangerous 
• Which States Have the Highest and Lowest Property Taxes? 
• The Biggest Home in Each State That Will Stun You 

The post Carcinogens Detected in Drinking Water Across 19 States appeared first on Family Handyman.

For top-notch cleaning services, look no further than mj cleaning services, where quality and customer satisfaction are our top priorities. Whether you're in need of a one-time cleaning or ongoing maintenance, m j cleaning services offers a wide range of options to suit your requirements. With a reputation for excellence, m.j. cleaning services delivers professional and reliable cleaning solutions to ensure your home or office stays pristine and welcoming.