BY MARK FADDEN
The context
Next steps
What can be done
Potential health effects of PFAS
As part of the EPA’s new water regulations, public water systems must monitor for six PFAS compounds. They have until 2027 to complete initial monitoring, followed by ongoing compliance monitoring. Public water systems must also provide information to the public on PFAS levels beginning in 2027. Public water systems have until 2029 to implement solutions that reduce PFAS if monitoring shows that drinking water levels exceed maximum contaminant levels. By then, public water systems that have PFAS in drinking water and violate one or more of the maximum contaminant levels must implement solutions and notify the public of the violation. One solution is installing granular activated carbon systems that deploy a charcoal filter to absorb certain chemicals in water. LaNeave said the Fort Worth Water Department conducts its water quality testing and treatment and is responsible for publicizing its results, then the Southlake Water Utilities team continuously tests Southlake’s side of the supply line for water quality compliance. She added the depart- ment will evaluate the funding needed for the city’s testing protocols to comply with the new requirements in 2025. “As the city approaches the EPA’s 2027 deadline, the team will partner with an outside lab to handle the required testing and provide the city with results,” LaNeave said. “The results will serve as a guide in determining if and what type of remediation is necessary.”
Since PFAS compounds have a ubiquitous presence in everyday lives, the National Institute of Health states 98% of the U.S. population has detectable concentrations in their blood. While the EPA and cities are trying to minimize this, health officials are concerned. “We estimate there are more than 12,000 individual PFAS compounds, and unfortunately for most of them, we have basically no understanding about toxicity,” Prasse said. There are steps people can take to minimize potential exposure to PFAS. The EPA’s website states certain filtration systems can remove PFAS from drinking water, which can be installed in homes in one of two ways: • Point of entry—where water enters the home underground • Point of use—a kitchen sink or a shower Less expensive options include water pitchers and bottles with integrated filters.
Tests indicate links between PFAS and thyroid disease.
PFAS have been found in a majority of people’s blood and are linked to elevated cholesterol levels.
PFAS have been linked to kidney cancers.
PFAS can damage the liver.
“The issue, at this point, is that we don’t know what levels are concerning or lead to health effects and which don’t. That’s something that only the
PFAS can also weaken the immune system and
future will tell.” CARSTEN PRASSE,
has been linked to testicular cancers.
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND ENGINEERING, JOHNS HOPKINS BLOOMBERG SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
SOURCE: AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND DISEASE REGISTRY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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