PFAS (or per/poly-fluoroalkyl substances) are a family of chemical compounds commonly known as “forever chemicals” as they can persist in the environment and in organisms and are highly toxic, causing a litany of health and environmental concerns. PFAS are associated with numerous adverse health effects in humans, such as ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, and cancers of the pancreas, ovaries, testicles, kidneys, and liver, and they are possibly linked to hormone disruption which in itself can cause a wide range of negative health effects. PFAS can be found in food packaging, Teflon kitchenware, household cleaning products, cosmetics, fire-fighting foams, we have probably all been exposed to these toxic chemicals, especially those working in industries such as manufacture of electronics, furniture, artificial leather, chrome plating, or fire-fighters. There is also now significant concern that chemical dumping by large manufacturers has made PFAS common in tap water and as a result increasingly in our food, as these chemicals are bioaccumulative and just build up in organisms over time. There are currently few countries that have set national standards on maximum safe amounts for PFAS in tap water, and most countries do not even test for PFAS. Are PFAS chemicals the next mega-environmental crisis?

Previous Article

Myanmar’s military government Exclusion

Next Article

Sinclair Ransomware Attack