Understanding PFAS and Exposure Pathways

Quijano: Non-stick pans, food packaging and cleaning products — all part of everyday life for many families. But some can contain PFAS, often called "forever chemicals", because they don't break down easily. These chemicals have been found in drinking water supplies, raising concerns about potential health risks.

Hello and welcome to "Getting Connected." I'm Elaine Quijano. We're on location in New Orleans, the Crescent City, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center for the National Association of Counties Annual Conference. Here, officials discuss policy and strategies to help local governments better serve their communities.

Joining me to talk about the environmental and health concerns surrounding PFAS is Tommy Barnes. He serves as a commissioner of Colbert County, Alabama. Commissioner Barnes, thank you so much for being here.

Barnes: Thank you. It's great to be here.

Quijano: So for those who may not be familiar, what are PFAS and how are people exposed to them?

Barnes: PFAS are fluorinated compounds that are used to keep water away from a product or to keep a repellent as far as water is used in fire retardant, floss, dental floss. It's used as a barrier for food products, wrappers for hamburgers, and various products that are used. But mainly it came on board many, many decades ago in the carpet industry and as a barrier for cleaning.

Quijano: Well, what should the average person know about the potential health and environmental concerns linked to PFAS?

Barnes: Well, the public should know that about 80% of all Americans have PFAS in their bloodstream. And that in itself is a situation that is, while it's being studied, it is a fact, but we also are making measures through the EPA to regulate and reduce the amount in our drinking water. And also the FDA and the EPA is also working together to send — get away from those products and food containing products.

Quijano: Well, PFAS have been used for decades, and the industry says not all PFAS chemicals need the same level of regulation. So what's your reaction to that?

Barnes: Well, the studies are ongoing. So I think that may be a little premature. But we do know that the two components, the two PFAS that have a regulated maximum contamination level is PFOS and PFOA. Those two have a maximum contamination limit in our drinking water of four parts per trillion. That will take effect in 2029. You have to have that in your drinking water as far as reduced from your utilities and water plants. So it is being worked upon. And in fact, they may even throw it out to 2031 to reduce the — give utilities more time to reduce that level by means of carbon filtration and reverse osmosis and other water treatment techniques.

Quijano: Well, what practical steps can people take to reduce their exposure at home or in their communities?

Barnes: Well, I think they need to ask questions. They need to look at the EPA website, and it gives you great information on products that do contain PFAS. They also give you opportunities to understand a little bit more of where the products are used. It may be a dental floss, it may be makeups, it may be your clothing. It may be landfill, in a leachate that goes into the well, into your well water. So there's things that are being investigated and they're still in the sampling mode of this product nationwide.

Quijano: What advice do you have for local leaders or families who want to stay informed and protect public health?

Barnes: Well, I believe the local leaders, such as myself— I was a former utility manager. You need to keep the public informed of what level you have in your drinking water. And I believe the public needs to stay engaged with the utilities and their water supplier to ask the questions "What are you doing to purify my water in a greater way?"

Quijano: Commissioner Tommy Barnes of Colbert County, Alabama, thanks so much for being with us.

Barnes: Thank you. It's an honor to be here.

Quijano: And thanks to you as well for watching. I'm Elaine Quijano.