by Lilly Burnett – 2021 RGI Geotechnical Intern
Although first introduced to the United States in the 1940’s, Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) were not discovered to be harmful until the 2000’s. Because they are used in a wide variety of products and don’t break down over time, they build up in the environment as well as the human body. In recent years, regulations have been put in place to limit these effects.
PFAS are used to manufacture products that are deemed stain resistant, water resistant or non-stick. This includes many consumer products such as food packaging, outdoor clothing, non-stick pans, and carpeting. One of the most prevalent uses of PFAS is in firefighting foam.
PFAS are difficult to get rid of as they don’t break down easily, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals”. Because PFAs accumulate in soil and water and are in many manufactured products, nearly all Americans have PFAS in their blood. Studies are still being conducted, but current data suggest that PFAS may cause:
● Increased cholesterol levels
● Decreased birth weights
● Decreased immune response to vaccines
● Changes in liver enzymes that indicate liver damage
● Increased risk of thyroid disease
● Increased risk of testicular and kidney cancer
Currently, there are no testing requirements for PFAS in Washington, yet studies have shown multiple contaminated water sources. Firefighting foam is a suspected source of drinking water contamination around airports, military bases and fire training areas. In Washington, PFAS contamination has been identified in water wells in Airway Heights, North Whidbey Island, Issaquah, and Joint Base Lewis-McChord at levels exceeding EPA recommendations.
In response to the discovery that these chemicals are harmful, Washington State passed some of the first regulations on PFAS. In 2018, Washington State passed laws to phase-out the use of PFAS by 2023. In 2019, the state legislature authorized the Department of Ecology to create a process to further restrict PFAS and other harmful chemical classes in consumer products. This process includes identifying harmful chemicals, pinpointing which consumer products contain them and what safer alternatives may exist, then creating new regulations to restrict their use.
RGI works to stay informed about current regulations regarding PFAS and can help provide guidance on any contamination concerns.
Sources:
https://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/Contaminants/PFAS
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/health-effects/index.html
https://ecology.wa.gov/Waste-Toxics/Reducing-toxic-chemicals/Addressing-priority-toxic-chemicals/PFAS
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/04/22/708863848/scientists-dig-into-hard-questions-about-the-fluorinated-pollutants-known-as-pfa
