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 slides.
*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.
What US agency is mainly spearheading the effort of addressing the PFAS crisis?
EPA
(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
The EPA set national drinking water standards for how many PFAS compounds?
6 (PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, GenX)
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)
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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)