What Is PFAS And Why Should I Care?

We Need Water

Do you know about PFAS? Have you ever wondered it it’s in your water? PFAS are a group of over 12,000 forever chemicals that are found in everyday products like nonstick pans, food packaging, rain gear, and even organic kale! It’s also being found in drinking water, and has negative impacts on human health and our environment. The US Geological Survey recently released a report about PFAS in the US water supply where they tested drinking water in over 700 homes across the US – and we are sharing the highlights in this episode.
Research Hydrologist, Kelly Smalling of the US Geological Survey discusses what PFAS is, the risks, safety levels, the hotspots for PFAS in the US, regulatory actions, and treatment technologies.
Link to USGS PFAS Map
In this episode, we discuss:
What is PFAS (2:00)
Where does PFAS come from? (3:05)
Is PFAS safe? (5:23)
How is the EPA responding to regulating PFAS now? (7:10)
What are the effects of PFAS? (9:40)
What is the maximum contamination level in drinking water for PFAS? (10:27)
Have industries changed the chemicals they are using and producing? (11:52)
What is the treatment technology to remove PFAS from drinking water? (13:00)
Why did the US Geological Survey create a report on PFAS? (13:55)
How many homes did you visit and test?
What results did you find in the water samples from US homes?
Where was PFAS detected?
What are the next steps for research? (21:59)
What should people take away from PFAS? (24:06)
Where can people find the USGS report on PFAS? (26:03)
What do you most enjoy about your job? (26:57)

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