The Wall Street Journal, May 2024
Toxic “forever chemicals” are all over your home. But filtering your water can reduce your exposure. These synthetic chemicals, also called PFAS, have long been used in consumer products, showing up in everything from makeup and dental floss to carpets, raincoats and nonstick pans. They have been linked to many health problems including cancer. Called “forever chemicals” because they take a long time to break down, PFAS are widespread but it can be hard to tell if a particular product contains them. The main way these chemicals damage your health is if you eat, drink or inhale them. Your drinking water is probably your biggest risk inside your home: Nearly half of U.S. tap water is contaminated with PFAS, according to a recent U.S. Geological Survey study.
In addition, PFAS chemicals in carpets and upholstery can shed off and be inhaled. There’s some limited evidence that you can absorb these chemicals from wearing clothing or touching something with PFAS, says Ned Calonge, associate dean of public health practice at Colorado School of Public Health at the Anschutz Medical Campus.
