Read the full article by J. Craig Anderson (Portland Press Herald)
“Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are not present in all U.S. water sources at detectable levels under current testing. But PFAS, also known as ‘forever chemicals,’ are widespread.
PFAS, a group of manufactured chemicals used in products since the 1940s, have been linked to decreased fertility, developmental delays, increased risk of cancer and more.
A U.S. Geological Survey study in 2023 found at least one PFAS compound in roughly 45% of U.S. drinking water samples tested, with urban water sources three times as likely as rural ones to be contaminated. Researchers only tested for 32 of the 12,000-plus known types of PFAS, not all of which can be detected with current tests.” …