Source: Desikan, A., Carter, J., Kinser, S. Goldman, G. 2019. Abandoned Science, Broken Promises How the Trump Administration’s Neglect of Science Is Leaving Marginalized Communities Further Behind. Union of Concerned Scientists. Available at: https://www.ucsusa.org/sites/default/files/2019-10/abandoned-science-broken-promises-web-final.pdf
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) comprise a group of chemicals dubbed the “forever chemical” due to their persistence in the environment. PFAS, which have been produced since the 1940s and can be found in almost every aspect of daily life, have been linked to adverse health outcomes, such as decreased fertility, developmental delays, increased cancer risks, and reduced immune system responses. The United States Government Accountability Office found exposure to PFAS in non-white low-income communities varied across a sample of six states with PFAS standards, but at least 18 percent of water systems were contaminated. In states like Michigan, analysis shows non-white and low-income communities are disproportionately exposed to PFAS.
Non-white and low-income communities often face the brunt of environmental burdens—with many states having no PFAS regulation for drinking water, or having regulations set at limits that are above the proposed EPA levels. These communities will likely face higher PFAS exposure. Traditional water treatment technologies are unable to remove PFAS from drinking water, meaning households require advanced systems to reduce exposure. One such system that has been found effective at removing PFAS costs between $150 for point of use systems to $7,500 for whole-house systems. The price of systems such as this places them out of reach of communities that may suffer the most from PFAS contamination. With low-income and non-white communities already more susceptible to adverse health conditions, the need to address PFAS contamination in an decisive and equitable way represents an urgent public health concern.
