NEWS

  • Update on WMC v DNR case: Midwest Environmental Advocates (MEA) filed an amicus, or ‘friend of the court’, brief arguing for an extension of the stay while an appeal by the DNR is pending. The brief is on behalf Wisconsin Environmental Health Network, Citizens for a Clean Wausau, Clean Water Action Council of Northeast Wisconsin, River Alliance of Wisconsin and Doug Oitzinger, a former mayor of Marinette. “Extending the stay is critical to protecting public health while an appeals court considers the issue,” said Beth Neary, M.D., Co-President of Wisconsin Environmental Health Network. “PFAS exposure is associated with higher rates of cancer and other serious health problems. Exposure is not something that can be readily undone or mitigated once it has occurred. They accumulate in the human body and remain there for long periods of time—there is no way to remove them.” Find out more here >>

  • Read Dr. Beth Neary’s article “What you need to know about PFAS to help your patients” on page 14 in the Wisconsin Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners annual newsletter.

 
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PFAS are also found in hundreds of products and there are more than 4,700 types of PFAS. PFAS are in fire-fighting foam and are a major source groundwater contamination at airports and military bases where firefighting training occurs. Drinking water contamination is typically localized and associated with a specific facility, such as a manufacturer, landfill, wastewater treatment plant, or firefighter training facility. Workplace contamination is also a concern for facilities or industries that use PFAS in production (i.e. chrome plating, electronics manufacturing or oil recovery).

 
 
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PFAS encompasses a large group of substances. The more common substances, like PFOS, PFOA, perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), have been studied more than other PFAS. (8)

How can you lower your exposure to pfas?

 

  • Check with your local health department to see if your drinking water is contaminated above levels outlined by the EPA. If your drinking water is contaminated use an alternate water source for drinking, preparing food, cooking, brushing teeth, and any other activity when you might swallow water. (9)

  • Avoid eating contaminated fish. Check with your local or state health and environmental quality departments for fish advisories in your area and follow them. (9)

  • Even though recent efforts to remove PFAS have reduced the likelihood of exposure, some products may still contain them. If you have questions or concerns about products you use in your home, contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission at (800) 638-2772. (9)

Because PFAS are at low levels in some foods and in the environment (air, water, soil, etc.) completely eliminating exposure is unlikely.

LOOKING FOR A SPEAKER ON THE HEALTH IMPACTS OF PFAS?Dr. Beth Neary, a Clinical Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pediatrics is happy to share her expertise. Email wehnmail@gmail.com to see if Beth is available for the date of your upcoming event.

LOOKING FOR A SPEAKER ON THE HEALTH IMPACTS OF PFAS?

Dr. Beth Neary, a Clinical Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pediatrics is happy to share her expertise. Email wehnmail@gmail.com to see if Beth is available for the date of your upcoming event.

 
 

Sources

  1. Sun Q, Zong G, Valvi D, Nielsen F, Coull B, Grandjean P. 2018. Plasma Concentrations of Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Prospective Investigation among U.S. Women. Environ Health Perspect. 126(3):037001.

  2. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/pfc/index.cfm

  3.  Bach CC, Vested A, Jorgensen K, Bonde JP, Henriksen TB, Toft G. 2016. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and measures of human fertility: a systematic review. Crit Rev Toxicol. 46(9):735-55.

  4. Braun J. Early-life exposure to EDCs: role in childhood obesity and neurodevelopment. 2017. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 13(3):161–173.

  5. Liu G, Dhana K, Furtado JD, Rood J, Zong G, Liang L, Qi L, Bray GA, DeJonge L, Coull B, Grandjean P, Sun Q. 2018. Perfluoroalkyl substances and changes in body weight and resting metabolic rate in response to weight-loss diets: a prospective study. PLoS Med 15(2):e1002502.

  6. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/health-effects.html

  7. Kielsen K, Shamim Z, Ryder LP, Nielsen F, Grandjean P, Budtz-Jorgensen E, Heilmann C. 2016. Antibody response to booster vaccination with tetanus and diphtheria in adults exposed to perfluorinated alkylates. J. Immunotoxicol. 13(2):270-3.

  8. https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/chemical/pfas.htm

  9. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/pfas-exposure.html