PFAS: What It Is, How It Got Here, and Why You Should Care

By Emma Woelkers, May 7, 2023

PFAS are known carcinogens, don’t break down naturally, and nearly every American has some level of them found in our blood. So why has it taken this long to take action?

97%. That is how much of the total US population has PFAS in their blood, according to a 2015 CDC study. Across the country, we are beginning to see the effects from decades of low regulation and corporate neglect regarding PFAS. In 1948, chemical manufacturing giants 3M and DuPont began to make PFAS-containing products such as Scotchgard and Teflon. While originally hailed as a miracle stain-fighter and savior for home cooks, PFAS has since turned into a major environmental health hazard as companies all over the world began recklessly dumping their waste and poisoning groundwater. PFAS are known carcinogens, don’t break down naturally, and nearly every American has some level of them found in our blood. So why has it taken this long to take action? Thankfully the EPA has recently proposed its first PFAS drinking water standard, but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to help affected communities.

What are PFAS?

PFAS are a class of over 4000 chemicals that are waterproof, fireproof, stain-resistant and non-stick. They are referred to as forever chemicals, since they take a very long time to break down in nature and in our bodies. PFAS use can be found in over 200 different industries, and you likely own things that include them. Things like waterproof makeup or shoes, Teflon pans, and even food wrappers all contain PFAS. Another source of exposure comes from our drinking water. In a study by the Environmental Working Group in 2020, they estimate over 200 million Americans drink contaminated water. That is over 60% of the total population!

These are photos of PFAS in surface water. PFAS forms what looks like a thick white foam when agitated by wind or waves. This foam sits on the water’s surface and can build up along the shoreline. (Photos from Detroit Free Press and MLive)

PFAS end up in our water through two main sources, the first being corporations dumping their waste. In Michigan, one of the largest sources of corporate PFAS contamination was from Wolverine Worldwide, who created waterproof shoes called Hush Puppies. Beginning in 1958 and lasting until 1986, Wolverine dumped their PFAS waste into three different landfill sites near Rockford, Michigan - it was only after other groundwater pollutants were found that they were forced to stop. The second main source of pollution is from a PFAS-based firefighting foam called AFFF. It was first developed by the Navy in 1964 to put out fires caused by jet fuel, and by 1979 AFFF was commonly used at both airports and Air Force bases. Today, it remains the only foam approved for fighting fires involving fuel. While some states have passed regulations such as banning the use of foam during training, PFAS still gets into the groundwater, and drinking water, surrounding these airports. Communities across the country continue to drink unsafe water, often without knowing. PFAS does not have a look, smell or taste, so getting your water tested is the only way to know if your water is safe to drink.

What are the Effects of PFAS?

3M first discovered that PFAS did not break down in blood back in 1950, and that it was toxic in 1963. The company hid this for nearly 50 years, before finally alerting the EPA about it in 1998. The effects of PFAS in adults can include infertility, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, and even types of cancers. While those risks are scary enough, the risks are even worse for unborn children and formula fed babies, due to their small body sizes, immature immune system, and rapid growth. These risks include low birth weight, long term hormone issues, and a condition known as immunotoxicity - this makes it hard for vaccines to work as the body decreases its antibody response. 

In Rockford MI, Tobyn McNaughton thought she was doing the right thing by drinking eight glasses of water a day while she was pregnant, and after her son was born she and her husband said he said he had a huge appetite for water. When their son was 16 months old they were told that there were PFAS chemicals in their water supply, and when they tested their son’s blood, he had over 100x the national average. And because PFAS doesn’t break down, levels in his blood will stay the same or even rise if he drinks any more unsafe water. His mom and dad both also deal with the effects of drinking contaminated water, including high cholesterol and infertility issues. 

This is just one of many stories coming from affected communities - there are hundreds more just in Michigan alone. In many cases the state does not even notify the public about the dangers, like in Rockford where it took seven years for Michigan officials to notify the community. This is why it is so critical that the EPA steps up and ensures that there are strong regulations around the levels of PFAS in our drinking water. The risks are too high, and too many communities are suffering.

What We Can Do

Hearing all of this information about PFAS can seem overwhelming, and it is easy to feel helpless. But there are so many things that you can do to make a difference in your community. Something as simple as telling your loved ones and neighbors will make a big impact, since many people are still unaware of the dangers of PFAS. The Great Lakes PFAS Action Network is a great example of this. The organization was formed after concerned community members in Rockford and Oscoda were not getting answers from Michigan state officials, and they have gone on to do incredible work. Their PFAS guide for impacted communities is a great resource, and has helped many people get the information they need.

Tobyn McNaughton and Sandy Wynn-Stelt protest the former CEO of Wolverine World Wide, when he was inducted into the Junior Achievement West Michigan Business Hall of Fame for being a “role model” to youth. Sandy is one of the co-chairs of the Great Lake PFAS Action Network. (Photo from MLive)

If you believe that your water may be unsafe, for example if you live near one of these locations, look and see if your local water utility already tests for PFAS. For those who rely on well water, contact your state environmental agency and see if they have any data regarding PFAS in your area. If they don’t, see if they have a process in place to test. In Michigan, you may request a water test kit for $290 from EGLE and they will process it at their lab. Other states may have similar programs, and it is worth it to check if you believe your water is unsafe.

The number one thing you can do is contact your state and federal lawmakers. This can be calling, emailing, or writing a letter! Many states have already passed laws banning the use of PFAS in firefighting training, in children’s products and in food packaging, but most states have little to no laws in place regarding PFAS. To see what your state is doing, visit Safer State’s bill tracker. Without pressure from people in their districts, lawmakers likely will not pass laws that will protect our health. Your voice is key to protecting your community, don’t be afraid to use it!

The New EPA Standard

The EPA has recently proposed the country’s first PFAS standards. These new standards will limit PFOA and PFOS, two of the oldest and most toxic kinds of PFAS, to 4 parts per trillion (ppt). This is drastically lower than the former EPA advisory that was set at 70 ppt, but still much higher than the advisory released in 2022 that recommended a level of .004 ppt. (Please note, EPA advisories are different from standards as they are only recommendations, while standards are set rules under the Clean Water Act.) In addition to PFOA and PFOS, these new standards will also limit any mix of four other kinds of PFAS, but there is a huge gray area because there is no set level proposed for this group. The problem when trying to regulate PFAS is that there are over 4000 different kinds. Banning six is a nice start, but we really should be regulating these chemicals as a class, rather than pinpoint specific kinds. Most notably, corporations have moved away from using PFOA and PFOS, but are still using one of the newer kinds - and if it is one that is not regulated, they can continue to further poison our water with little consequence. 

Change The Chamber is a bipartisan coalition of over 100 student groups, including undergraduates, graduate students and recent graduates. Contact Change The Chamber at changeuschamber@gmail.com.