Certain areas of the U.S. and other countries are hot spots of “forever chemicals,” a study has found.
A “substantial fraction” of locations have above-recommended levels of chemicals called PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in water samples, according to a paper published in the journal Nature Geoscience.
Many of these hot spots have concentrations of PFAS at much higher levels than is considered safe, the researchers said.
PFAS are chemicals used to make products resistant to heat, oil, stains, grease and water.
This means they are present in numerous household items, including nonstick cooking tools, toilet paper, food packaging, cosmetics and dental floss.
The U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has identified these “forever chemicals” as potential causes of health problems like increased cholesterol and blood pressure, diminished immune function, reproductive problems and a heightened risk of certain cancers.
