What are PFAS and why are they in my water, food and blood?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced final drinking water standards for six individual PFAS “forever chemicals” including PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA (GenX), and PFBS

The government has implemented strict limits on certain “forever chemicals” in drinking water, necessitating utilities to reduce them to the lowest measurable level. As a result, around 100 million individuals will experience reduced exposure, ultimately aiding in the prevention of numerous illnesses, including cancers.

What is PFAs (EPA Explanation)

What state has the most PFAS in water? It’s claimed that even with PFAS present in the drinking water of numerous states, Michigan stands out with the highest concentration of these harmful chemicals in its water supplies. (Source)

172 known PFAS contamination sites across 40 states as of July 2018
Michigan has the highest levels of PFAS in the U.S.
According to the American Red Cross, “the blood of the average American has 4,300 parts per trillion, or ppt, of PFOS and 1,100 ppt of PFOA.”

What foods are high in PFAS? For the 17 TDS samples where we detected PFAS, we found that 44% (14 out of 32) of the seafood samples were affected. In our 2022 targeted seafood survey, we detected PFAS in 74% (60 out of 81) of clams, cod, crab, pollock, salmon, shrimp, tilapia, and tuna samples. Questions and Answers on PFAS in Food – FDA

Does boiling water remove PFAS? Just boiling water will not remove PFAS. While many homes have whole-house water softening or iron filtration systems, sampling data indicate that those systems do NOT remove PFAS. Reverse osmosis uses energy to push water through a membrane with tiny pores.

Does distilled water have PFAS?– On average, distilled water is free from around 99% PFAS. – PFAS have a higher boiling point than water, which means they’re left behind in the distillation chamber when water evaporates.

How do you get rid of PFAS in your body? Currently, there are no definitive medical procedures that can clear PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) from the body, according to the Secretary of the United States Navy. However, the best step you can take is to remove the source of the exposure from your environment.

Toxic fluorinated chemicals (PFAS) found in United States tap water as of June 2023, by select city and county. Statista

PFAS Foam on Lakes and Streams in Michigan

There is foam on my lake/stream. What is it?
Why does naturally occurring foam appear?
Why does PFAS foam appear?
What should I know about PFAS foam on lakes and rivers?
What if I see foam on the water I’ve been recreating in?
Are there health advisories related to PFAS foam on lakes/streams?
MDHHS recommends everyone avoid foam on lakes and rivers impacted by PFAS contamination and rinse off the foam after contact.
What can I do if I see foam?
What happens after I report suspected PFAS foam on a lake/river to the PEAS number or fill out the foam sighting form?
Where has EGLE found PFAS foam?
Is EGLE still sampling for foam?
What is EGLE doing about PFAS foam?

Get Your Answers Here

Toxic stream of ‘mystery foam’ near Detroit was PFAS – but … MLive.com

May 7, 2019 — The dangers of PFAS foam – which results when PFAS combine with both water and a agitating motion – are being elevated in Michigan, with some …

If I go to a foam party will it contain PFAs? Probably