Alert: Confirmation of harmful PFAS chemicals in drinking water has raised concern, is your home water also contaminated?

To keep the body healthy, it is considered necessary to take care of the purity of food and water, but are we all able to ensure it? This question is arising because reports say that tap water in at least 45% of US homes may contain PFAS, a harmful substance known as the 'forever chemical'.

This is the first time scientists have estimated the amount of PFAS in drinking water on a national scale.

PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) are a type of synthetic chemical that can contaminate the environment with a variety of products. These can be present in water, food, land, and air. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, prolonged exposure to it can lead to a build-up of chemicals in the body over time that can be harmful.

Water in most of America's homes is contaminated
The study, conducted by the US Geological Survey (USGS), was published in the Environment International Journal. The USGS analyzed samples from 269 wells and 447 public water supplies to come up with national risk estimates.

USGS scientists also tested water collected directly from homes across the country. The study estimates that at least one type of PFAS may be present in the tap water of more than half of homes in the US, says study author and hydrologist Kelly Smalling.

What types of diseases can be at risk?
The researchers found that consuming water or food contaminated with PFAS can damage the liver and the immune system. Laboratory studies to understand the harm caused by PFAS found that animals exposed to PFAS over a long period experienced low birth weight, birth defects, delayed development, and neonatal death. The risk is higher.

Researchers say that all people need to take special precautions regarding the cleanliness of water.

Make sure to drink clean water
In a study published in Environmental Science & Technology in August 2022, researchers raised concerns that rainwater may be contaminated with PFAS. Since PFAS tend to stick, they can be in the atmosphere, rainwater, and soil for long periods.

Health experts say that there is currently no quick system to measure how safe the water in your home is, so attention should be paid to the consumption of clean water. Always cool the water after heating it and then filter it and consume it. Contaminated water can put you at risk of developing several health problems, including the brain and nerves along with the stomach.

(PC: Freepik)