Per- and Polyflouroalkyl Substances:
Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) such as PFOA and PFOS have been used for over 60 years in the production of teflon, water-resistant clothing, fire-fighting foams, and stain-resistant coatings such as Scotchguard. Dupont, 3M, and other companies have produced millions of tons of these chemicals. Perfluoroalkyl substances do not biodegrade in the environment, or in our bodies, and so have accumulated throughout all areas of the planet and in us. Because of this they are known as the "forever chemicals". Research shows that these chemicals have health effects even at very low concentrations, including immune system suppression, thyroid disease, testicular and kidney cancer, hypercholesterolemia, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and infertility.
Dupont recently settled multiple lawsuits for hundreds of millions due to its contamination of public water supplies around its factory in Parkersburg, WVa. Much of one settlement funded multiple epidemiological health studies of the long-term health effects of exposure to PFAS, while another settlement compensated those with health conditions caused by those exposures.
The Environmental Working Group has published a map showing the public and private water systems in 49 states that have been contaminated by PFAS, with more contaminated systems being identified each year. People in these areas have been drinking more than the maximum safe level of PFAS as determined by the EPA, according to its latest Health Advisory for PFOA and PFOS.
You, M.D. works with regional and national environmental law firms, local water authorities, and individual clients to understand the health effects of PFAS at various levels of exposure, to interpret and apply EPA guidelines, to make recommendations as to water consumption safety, and to provide accurate information about the health effects of these chemicals.
Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) such as PFOA and PFOS have been used for over 60 years in the production of teflon, water-resistant clothing, fire-fighting foams, and stain-resistant coatings such as Scotchguard. Dupont, 3M, and other companies have produced millions of tons of these chemicals. Perfluoroalkyl substances do not biodegrade in the environment, or in our bodies, and so have accumulated throughout all areas of the planet and in us. Because of this they are known as the "forever chemicals". Research shows that these chemicals have health effects even at very low concentrations, including immune system suppression, thyroid disease, testicular and kidney cancer, hypercholesterolemia, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and infertility.
Dupont recently settled multiple lawsuits for hundreds of millions due to its contamination of public water supplies around its factory in Parkersburg, WVa. Much of one settlement funded multiple epidemiological health studies of the long-term health effects of exposure to PFAS, while another settlement compensated those with health conditions caused by those exposures.
The Environmental Working Group has published a map showing the public and private water systems in 49 states that have been contaminated by PFAS, with more contaminated systems being identified each year. People in these areas have been drinking more than the maximum safe level of PFAS as determined by the EPA, according to its latest Health Advisory for PFOA and PFOS.
You, M.D. works with regional and national environmental law firms, local water authorities, and individual clients to understand the health effects of PFAS at various levels of exposure, to interpret and apply EPA guidelines, to make recommendations as to water consumption safety, and to provide accurate information about the health effects of these chemicals.