PFAS Contamination of Drinking Water in Alaska and Beyond: An Update on Community and Policy Actions

Contamination of drinking water sources with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a growing national public health concern, estimated to affect more than one million Americans. PFAS chemicals include thousands of compounds that are used in a wide range of products, from food packaging to stain-resistant furniture. A significant source of PFAS contamination is chemical foam used to suppress oil fires. PFAS compounds have been detected in groundwater and soil across the United States, including in Alaska, close to some airports and military bases in Fairbanks and in well water in Gustavus. Over the summer, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report suggesting that PFAS may be more hazardous to health than previously thought. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, hormone disruption, liver and kidney toxicity, harm to the immune system, and reproductive and developmental toxicity. On this podcast you will hear more about the sources of PFAS contamination, the health effects linked to exposure, and what actions are being taken at the local, state, and international levels to address the problem.