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It's time to test.
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ARE THERE TOXIC PFAS CHEMICALS IN YOUR DRINKING WATER?
PFAS (pronounced “PEA-FASS”) stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a family of thousands of synthetic, highly toxic chemicals that have been used in a wide variety of manufacturing processes and consumer products. Those products include firefighting foam, nonstick cookware, water-repellant clothing, stain resistant carpets, cleaning products, cosmetics, dental floss, and more.
PFAS are toxic chemicals that have been found in the drinking water of a growing number of Wisconsin communities.
Even at extremely low levels, exposure to PFAS has been linked to an increased risk of cancer and other serious health problems.
PFAS exposure has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, reproductive and developmental problems, thyroid hormone disruption, high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, negative impacts to the immune system, and more. Pregnant women and small children may be particularly vulnerable.
Despite the serious health risks, many Wisconsin water utilities
haven't conducted comprehensive PFAS testing of their drinking water systems.
There are thousands of different chemicals in the PFAS family. Wisconsin has developed drinking water enforcement standards for two of them—PFOS and PFOA. This is a positive development, but it's not enough. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has recommended safety standards for a total of 18 PFAS chemicals. Ask your water utility to test for all 18 of them.