EPA warns toxic 'forever chemicals' more dangerous than once thought

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Washington Post

The Environmental Protection Agency warned Wednesday that a group of human-made chemicals found in the drinking water, cosmetics and food packaging used by millions of Americans pose a greater danger to human health than regulators previously thought. The new health advisories for a ubiquitous class of compounds known as polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, underscore the risk facing dozens of communities across the country.

Linked to infertility, thyroid problems and several types of cancer, these “forever chemicals” can persist in the environment for years without breaking down. “People on the front-lines of PFAS contamination have suffered for far too long,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a statement. “That’s why EPA is taking aggressive action.” The guidance aims to prompt local officials to install water filters or at least notify residents of contamination. But for now, the federal government does not regulate the chemicals.

Health advocates have called on the Biden administration to act more quickly to address what officials from both parties describe as a contamination crisis that has touched every state. “Today’s announcement should set off alarm bells for consumers and regulators,” said Melanie Benesh, legislative attorney at the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization. “These proposed advisory levels demonstrate that we must move much faster to dramatically reduce exposures to these toxic chemicals.”

Since the 1940s, chemical makers have used the highly durable compounds to make nonstick cookware, moisture-repellent fabrics and flame-retardant equipment. But that same toughness against water and fire, which made the chemicals profitable, allowed them to accumulate in nature and build up in the body — with long-term health impacts.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2022/06/15/epa-pfas-forever-chemicals/

[Ferrets are Cool]

1. Great, just great.

[progree]

2. As long as the hospitals aren't filling up with PFAS victims, ... no worse than the flu, ... I'm

Last edited Wed Jun 15, 2022, 10:30 AM - Edit history (1)

so done worrying about PFAS, anyway, it's endemic, too little data on so-called "long PFAS" to worry about, you all can hide in your mama's basement if you wish, I'm going to enjoy life.

[jaxexpat]

4. I admire the cut of your sarcasm jib, progree. It smells like......victory.

[Marthe48]

3. I like my non-stick frying pans

I toy with giving them up, but still use them.

[Victor_c3]

5. That's part of the problem, everyone likes the convenience

If I’m not mistaken, the contamination is mostly around areas where the products are produced and not from the use of such products.

[Marthe48]

8. We live up river from a DuPont plant that makes C8

Being so aware of the problems C8 caused/is causing, I'm not replacing the non-stick I have. I have a bunch of Corning Visions. Corning had to it off the market because some pieces shattered in use. I'm careful with mine, and haven't had a problem. I use it the most of all my cookware.

[LT Barclay]

23. Check out the movie Dark Waters before you continue. Its not easy, but the risk is really too high.

We're using Pyrex, silicone cookwear, and pizza stones.

[appalachiablue]

6. Also, PFAS- Forever, Everywhere Toxins:

Forever Chemicals' in Drinking Water Linked to High Blood Pressure Risk, Study Middle Aged Women, MORE, June 14, 22
https://democraticunderground.com/114228370

[Maggiemayhem]

7. If you are using scratched Teflon, you are exposing yourself to the chemicals.

My area is contaminated by the Air Guard using fire fighting foam.Watch the movie “Dark Waters.”

[Pepsidog]

9. I needed new lans anyway cause all my non-stick are scratched. Any recommendations on an

alternative kind of cookware that doesn’t contain these chemicals or is it just a fact of life that we live with them?

[AncientOfDays]

13. Cast iron

Cast iron is easily seasoned to be non-stick - most comes that way.

I use cast iron on my Induction range.

Does need to be hand washed - not dishwasher.

[Kali]

14. cast iron or good stainless

both have a little learning curve, but worth it for all sorts of reasons.

[Pepsidog]

20. Yes I do have some cast iron. I like them but your are correct, they

take some time to get used to cooking with them. Thanks for the reply.

[Maggiemayhem]

24. Teflon hasn't been sold in awhile.

So anything new is safe. I use both cast iron and stainless. I haven’t tried any of the new stone surfaces.

[SergeStorms]

11. "Dark Waters".

Great movie starring Mark Ruffalo and Anne Hathaway. No one in their right mind would eat anything caught in the Chesapeake Bay after watching it.

[SheltieLover]

10. Kicking for visibility

[JoeOtterbein]

12. K n R ! Thanks for posting! nt

[cynical_idealist]

15. Keep an eye on anyone pushing deregulation...

Libertarians and right wingers love the right to poison us.

[pandr32]

16. We have black cast iron cookware along with heavy stainless steel pots

No non-stick pans. Our cast iron cookware get a quick rinse off in the sink and they are good to go again. We have six pans and one pot. I don't see any use for 'non-stick' at all as cast iron already does this so well.

[Mersky]

17. So, Clark's non-nutritive cereal varnish was more than a sledding hazard

But seriously, between my thyroid disease and ovary issues, I’ll ask my doctor about getting pfas levels checked, etc.

[Maine Abu El Banat]

18. Putting human and household waste sludge

On farm lands. What could go wrong?

[Ziggysmom]

19. Europe always seems to be a step ahead of us in health protections.

https://ec.europa.eu/environment/chemicals/pfas/index_en.htm

[BComplex]

21. Chemical companies have known this forever.

They knew exactly what they were doing. They just don't care as long as they're making $$. THAT is why they promote republicans. Republicans are evil. They allow and promote evil in our society and in our lives.

[mopinko]

22. pet bird owners been tryin to warn ppl for a couple decades.

ask any avian vet.

eta- and i helped. they were starting to put that shit in EVERYTHING. there was even a toilet cleaner that had it. it was being used in clothing for stain protection.
i knew it was starting to sink in when they stopped bragging about it. if you look, you rarely see the teflon name used any more.