An international team of scientists from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom and the Southern University of Science and Technology in China has found perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFAS) in tap and bottled water around the world. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine ACS ES&T Su.
PFAS are widely used in industrial applications, firefighting foams, and consumer products due to their water and stain repellent properties. PFAS almost never break down under natural conditions, which is why they’re called “forever chemicals.”
These compounds are known to cause adverse health effects, such as weakening of the immune response to vaccination, impaired liver function, decreased birth weight in newborns, and increased risk of certain types of cancer.
In the new study, the team analyzed water samples from 87 brands from 15 countries and found perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in more than 99% of bottled water samples.
The study found that measures such as boiling and/or activated carbon filtration (usually using a pitcher filter) can significantly reduce PFAS concentrations in drinking water, with removal rates ranging from 50% to 90% depending on the type of ingredients and type of cleaning.
Previous scientists I learnedHe said PFAS can contaminate groundwater for more than 40 years.
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Source: Gazeta
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