Keep Toxic “Forever Chemicals” Out of Our Water
Lawmakers in Hartford must adopt critical measures to keep PFAS out of our water and bodies. Email elected leaders today and tell them to protect our drinking water from PFAS contamination and to ban PFAS in food packaging and firefighting foam!
What are PFAS?
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) refers to a suite of synthetic chemicals used in many household and industrial products, including firefighting foam, food packaging, and numerous water-resistant, stain-proof, and nonstick products. Unfortunately, PFAS chemicals are a threat to human health and are being found in drinking water supplies in CT and across the nation.
An Emerging Threat to Public Health
PFAS are referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in our environment and our bodies. According to the CDC, PFAS are present in the bloodstream of 98% of American adults. Research shows that PFAS chemicals contribute to thyroid problems, adverse developmental effects, higher cholesterol levels and decreased immune response in children. The U.S. EPA has indicated that PFAS may contribute to kidney and testicular cancers.
Contaminating Connecticut’s Drinking Water & Environment
From 2013-2015, the EPA required 40 public water systems in CT to test for PFAS chemicals, including PFOA and PFOS. These chemicals were not detected above federal reporting limits; however, emerging science indicates these chemicals present a serious public health risk, even at very low levels. Several states have taken steps to advance drinking water standards for PFAS well below current federal reporting limits in order to protect public health. More recently, private drinking water wells in Greenwich and Willimantic, CT were found to have high levels of PFAS, prompting state officials to issue “do not drink” orders for residents.
PFAS chemicals are also being discharged into our waterways from wastewater treatment plants and septic systems. In 2018, researchers at UCONN tested twelve sewage treatment plants in CT, and found that 100% of those plants were discharging PFAS chemicals into local waterways that eventually drain into LI Sound.
CT Must Take Action to Protect our Water and Health from PFAS
With the chemical industry pushing back against any meaningful action to protect public health and the environment from PFAS, it is imperative that our elected officials stand up for our health and environment and adopt the following measures:
Ban PFAS in Food Packaging
PFAS are widely used in food packaging for their stain and grease repellent properties. Scientific studies show that food packaging is one of the most common ways humans are exposed to PFAS chemicals. Currently, there are no state or federal regulations on the use of short-chain PFAS in food service packaging, and there is no way for consumers to know if their food is packaged using PFAS. The only way to ensure PFAS are not contaminating our food and beverages is to ban them in food packaging.
Ban PFAS in Firefighting Foam
In June of 2019, more than 20,000 gallons of firefighting foam containing PFAS escaped into the Farmington River following an accidental discharge at Bradley Airport. The spill prompted CT DEEP to issue a fishing ban in the lower Farmington River. CT DEEP estimates more than 24,000 gallons of PFAS-containing firefighting foam is stockpiled at fire departments and airport hangars around the State. PFAS-free foams are effective and readily available for use—Connecticut should prohibit the use of firefighting foams containing PFAS chemicals, wherever possible.
Adopt Strong Drinking Water Standards for PFAS
Regrettably, there is no federal drinking water standard established for PFAS chemicals in drinking water. Many states are stepping up to protect the health of residents by adopting their own drinking water standards. New science is revealing that even extremely low levels of exposure to PFOA and PFOS may cause health effects, such as immune suppression and serious developmental impairments. CT must set drinking water standards as low as possible. It is technologically feasible to treat water supplies down to a combined Maximum Contamination Level (MCL) of 2 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS, using activated carbon filtration technology. In order to adequately protect public health, Connecticut should adopt a combined MCL of 2ppt for PFOA and PFOS.
Email Connecticut House and Senate leadership today!
Thanks for taking action. Together we make a difference!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE