What the heck are PFAS?
PFAS are often called “forever chemicals” because they don’t do this naturally in the environment.
break down
True or false: Most countries around the world have access to PFAS testing and removal technology.
False
Name one of the six human health effects of PFAS mentioned in the Fenton et al. reading. (three were mentioned in our lecture as well!)
*immune function
*thyroid function
*liver disease and cancer
*lipid and insulin dysregulation
*kidney disease/uric acid/kidney cancer
*reproductive and developmental outcomes
Why are children more sensitive to the health effects of PFAS?
*They're still developing
*They drink more water, eat more food, and breathe more air in terms of pound:body weight ratio → more exposure
*Young children who crawl on floors and put things in their mouths may be more likely to interact with PFAS that’s in carpets, dust, toys, cleaning products, etc.
(Ackerman et. al.) Canada reported 69% of water samples as unsafe, while only 6% were in the EU.
*What is the reason for this?*
They use different safety standards/regulations
If you were a member of a local public health department dealing with PFAS contamination from a nearby manufacturing plant, what are immediate measures you would take to manage the crisis? (think communication, interventions, safety practices)
Let's hear
If you were a member of the EPA’s research and advisory board and you were attending an international conference on the development of standardized PFAS disposal practices, what are 3 guidelines you would propose?
Let's hear