Environment
California’s Water Crisis and the Silent Threat of PFAS Contamination: What Are the Authorities Doing?
California is freaking out over their drinking water getting all messed up by the per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances. (PFAS) These synthetic compounds repel grease and water, so they’re used in all kinds of stuff. But dang, they’re super bad for you and the environment.
PFAS contamination in California’s drinking water can occur through various means.
PFAS-containing firefighting foams during emergencies and training sessions have significantly contributed to groundwater and surface water contamination. Industrial sites such as chemical plants and manufacturing facilities are also significant sources as they release PFAS into the environment through waste disposal and emissions. Furthermore, landfills, wastewater treatment plants, and biosolids are additional sources that contribute to the presence of PFAS in drinking water.
Landfills and wastewater treatment plants have the potential to contaminate PFAS when they release leachate and effluent. In response to concerns about PFAS in California’s drinking water, the State Water Board issued orders in April 2019. These orders targeted airports, adjacent water systems, and landfills that may be potential sources of PFAS. Addressing this concern and ensuring public safety necessitated implementing stringent measures that included comprehensive investigation, monitoring, and mitigation of PFAS contamination in their respective regions. The pressing need to tackle the issue was underscored by the prevalence of PFAS in California’s drinking water, emphasizing the importance of taking immediate action.
Accumulation in the food chain is a major concern, threatening ecological and human health. PFAS soil, surface water, and groundwater contamination can also have significant environmental impacts. Developing effects, cancer risk increases, reproductive issues, immune system dysfunction, and liver damage are all potential negative health outcomes. Long-term consequences can occur from exposure to a persistent environment of PFAS. The potential environmental damage is worsened by the difficulty of addressing the long-lasting nature of PFAS. Concerns about the effects on biodiversity and ecosystems have arisen with the discovery of PFAS in wildlife, including fish and birds.
Addressing the concern of PFAS contamination, the Environmental Protection Agency and various regulatory measures and mitigation strategies have implemented efforts to tackle this problem in March 2023. Both state and federal entities are taking steps to address this issue.
References
- PFAS: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Drinking Water …. (n.d.) Retrieved July 11, 2023, from www.waterboards.ca.gov
- PFAS Drinking Water. (n.d.) Retrieved July 11, 2023, from www.waterboards.ca.gov/pfas/drinking_water.html
- Our Current Understanding of Human Health. (n.d.) Retrieved July 11, 2023, from www.epa.gov
Originally published at https://www.newsbreak.com.
