8<\/span><\/p>\nMoreover, the latest scientific literature on PFAS paints an even more troubling picture. Above all, young children have been found to be especially vulnerable to these chemicals\u2019 negative effects. Therefore, scientists hypothesize a reason for this that is twofold:9<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Children are more likely to be exposed to the chemicals through ingesting dust, breastfeeding, and contact with PFAS products. To illustrate, they chew on non-stick cookware or crawl on stain-resistant fabric.<\/li>\n
- Children are at a critical developmental stage.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
While information is still emerging, studies have found associations between PFAS exposure in children and several harmful health effects such as:<\/p>\n
\n- Dyslipidemia<\/li>\n
- Reduced vaccine effectiveness<\/li>\n
- Less effective immune response<\/li>\n
- Less effective renal function<\/li>\n
- Delayed puberty<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
According to a 2017 review by Kristen Rappazzo, Evan Coffman, and Erin Hines, an analysis of 64 studies on children and PFAS concluded that scientists are learning that childhood exposure during developmental periods may negatively impact a person\u2019s lifelong health. So they concluded that this is true \u201ceven at doses that have little effect in adults.\u201d9<\/span><\/p>\nPFAS Today: Government Action<\/h2>\n
As scientific data repeatedly verifies that PFAS exposure is a reality to be taken seriously, concerned citizens have called for increasing governmental regulations and investigations. Now, meaning as of September 2018, incidents have catapulted PFAS from relative obscurity and into the national spotlight.<\/p>\n
Last month, in August of 2018, Congress enacted a law directing the U.S. Department of Defense to report on PFAS use on military bases and surrounding communities.10<\/span> In addition, the new law requires the Department of Defense to assess the human health effects of PFAS exposure.10<\/span> Now, three other bills are moving through the U.S. Senate and one bill is moving through the U.S. House of Representatives to regulate PFAS.11<\/span><\/p>\nIn addition, subcommittees of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate will hold hearings this month on PFAS as a response to events in Michigan. In that state, the local government issued warnings to two communities in Kalamazoo County to stop drinking or cooking with water because of contamination. Moreover, Michigan representatives have also co-sponsored a House bill that would require the Environmental Protection Agency to set containment goals and establish PFAS-contaminated drinking water standards. Meanwhile, Senator Debbie Stabenow has introduced bills for mandatory contamination reporting, enforced cleanup deadlines, and the dedication of funds toward developing PFAS detection technology.1<\/span><\/p>\nPFAS Today: What You Can Do<\/h2>\n
Lastly, issues such as PFAS contamination can frustrate and frighten the average citizen because the future largely depends on governmental or corporate actions rather than individual action. But as the outcry from Michigan has demonstrated, local experiences can direct the flow of policy. Above all, here are three things you can do now:<\/p>\n
\n- Please consider donating to Save the WaterTM as we follow these stories.<\/li>\n
- Contact your local government to ask what they are doing about PFAS in your water.<\/li>\n
- Contact your members of Congress to let them know that this an issue important to you.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
References<\/h2>\n\n- Melissa Burke. August 31, 2018. \u201cU.S. House panel set to hold hearing on PFAS contamination.\u201d The Detroit News. https:\/\/detne.ws\/2Cdn0rL<\/li>\n
- Leonard N. Fleming. August 23, 2018. \u201cPeters plans hearing on PFAS contamination.\u201d The Detroit News. https:\/\/detne.ws\/2MNFinx<\/li>\n
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. January 10, 2018. \u201cPer- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Your Health.\u201d ATSDR. https:\/\/www.atsdr.cdc.gov\/pfas\/overview.html<\/li>\n
- United States Environmental Protection Agency. \u201cBasic Information on PFAS.\u201d EPA. https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/pfas\/basic-information-pfas<\/li>\n
- Rula Deeb. May 17, 2018. \u201cOverview of PFAS Technical and Regulatory Issues.\u201d https:\/\/bit.ly\/2O7rYb2<\/li>\n
- Kristen Rappazzo, Evan Coffman, & Erin P. Hines. July 2017. \u201cExposure to Perfluorinated Alkyl Substances and Health Outcomes in Children: A Systematic Review of the Epidemiologic Literature.\u201d International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(7). https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5551129\/<\/li>\n
- PR Newswire. August 8, 2018. \u201cGreen Science Policy: Decades-long cover up led to current widespread drinking water contamination.\u201d PR Newswire. https:\/\/prn.to\/2NOrJl8<\/li>\n
- Suraj Rajendran. October 27, 2016. \u201cPFAs: Toxins for 6 Million People.\u201d Save the Water.\u2122 http:\/\/savethewater.org\/2016\/11\/07\/toxin-6-million-people\/<\/li>\n
- Kerstin Winkens, Robin Vestergren, Urs Berger & Ian T. Cousins. June 2017. \u201cEarly life exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs): A critical review.\u201d Emerging Contaminants, 3(2), 55-68. https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2405665017300033<\/li>\n
- \u201cNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019.\u201d August 13, 2018. Pub.L. No. 115-232. Congress.gov.<\/li>\n
- Congress.gov.>\/li><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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