Business Insider reports that the local tap water system of 30 communities have toxic chemical contamination. The chemicals in question are perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs), which can be fatal. Since the 1940s, manufacturers have been using these lab-grown chemicals to create products resistant to stains, water, or grease. They can last thousands of years in the environment. Hence, the “forever chemicals” tag.

1. "Forever Chemicals" Have
Infiltrated America's Tap
Water
Kinetico Utah

2. Business Insider reports that the local tap water system of 30 communities have toxic chemical
contamination. The chemicals in question are perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs),
which can be fatal. Since the 1940s, manufacturers have been using these lab-grown chemicals to
create products resistant to stains, water, or grease. They can last thousands of years in the
environment. Hence, the “forever chemicals” tag.
PFAs are Dangerous to a Person's Health
A study in Environmental Research shares that about 6 million Americans drink water with PFAs levels
beyond the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) recommendations.
The PFAs are long-lasting synthetic chemicals. CleanWaterAction.org, an American environmental
advocacy group, explains that a chain of fluorine-carbon bonds characterizes PFAs. They are also
among the strongest bonds in chemistry.

3. The durable chemicals are extremely persistent in the bodies of individuals and the environment
because of their stable presence in tap water. Several "forever chemicals" can last for eight years in
a person's body and the substances can accumulate over time.
The National Center for Environmental Health explains that it could take two to nine years for
potentially carcinogenic chemicals to go down by half inside a human body. The existence of PFAs
inside a person's body could lead to high cholesterol, liver damage, chronic kidney disease, and low
birth rates.
A Trend in "Raw Water"
Instead of avoiding tap water, more people are drinking untreated water. Thanks to the "Raw Water"
trend, more people are drinking unfiltered and unsterilized water bottled directly from a natural
spring.

4. The USA Today reports that health experts, such as Uttam Saha from the University of Georgia
Extension, have been warning people that drinking "raw water" could lead hospital trips. Saha points
out that there is more risk than potential benefits in drinking untreated water. He explains that
people are not particularly certain if the water contains disease-carrying organisms or not. People
will never be sure if the "raw water" is clean unless it is tested.
Given the uncertainty in tap water and raw water, consumers would do well to ensure the purity and
safety of what they are drinking through adequate filtration systems.
Sources:
https://www.businessinsider.com/what-are-pfas-chemicals-2018-8
https://kineticoutah.com/
https://www.cleanwateraction.org/2018/08/02/breaking-down-forever-chemicals-%E2%80%93what-
are-pfas/
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfc/docs/pfas_clinician_fact_sheet_508.pdf/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/01/03/what-raw-water-trend-could-kill-
you-health-experts-say/998956001/