According to a recent study of drinking water in the vicinity of Bucks and Montgomery Counties, people who lived in areas with elevated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) tended to suffer a number of significant health issues. Typically, these are people who live in the vicinity of military bases, where PFAS are used for a number of purposes. This study confirms what people already suspected: that PFAS exposure can cause substantial long-term harm to affected victims.
You can read the study and its results here.
High PFAS Levels in BuxMont Drinking Water Linked to Health Problems
According to the study, people who live in the BuxMont area who had high levels of PFAS in their drinking water had a significantly increased risk of a number of health problems. These included, but were not limited to: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and developmental problems in early childhood. Additionally, there were a number of cancer clusters in the area, although there was no definitive link between the cancer and PFAS exposure.
Exposure Tied to PFAS Contamination From Military Bases
The high levels of PFAS in the drinking water is tied to military bases that are located in the area. There, PFAS are often used for things like firefighter foam, which are often used in exercises to deal with potentially dangerous fires. Additionally, they are often used in the construction of military aircraft, missiles, protective gear, and other military hardware, any of which may be the source of the contamination.
The Health Impact of PFAS Exposure
The study affirms what scientists have found with repeated study of PFAS exposure: that people who have high levels of PFAS can suffer from significant long term health issues. In addition to the above results confirmed by the study, PFAS exposure has also been linked to problems such as lowered fertility, reduced immune response, and disruptions to the endocrine system.
Worse still, PFAS exposure can happen over the course of years, due to the chemicals not breaking down in the body. There is also currently no known treatment for toxic PFAS exposure.
Why This Matters
PFAS have been used routinely by private industry and government agencies alike, including the military, for decades, with little concern for the health impacts they might have. As a result, communities around the United States are now dealing with PFAS contamination in their drinking water, and the resulting health problems they cause. Fortunately, there may be legal options available to you if you or your loved ones have suffered from the effects of PFAS contamination.
Williams Cedar is a law firm dedicated to helping clients with personal injury, environmental law, and civil rights cases. We have extensive experience representing the interests of people injured in catastrophic accidents, including fires, explosions and leaks of toxic materials, such as PFAS. If you believe we can be of service to you or a loved one, please give us a call at our New Jersey and Pennsylvania offices at (215) 557-0099, or visit our contact page.