Protecting water quality, health and the environment: urgent questions pertaining to PFAS with Dr. Carla Ng

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class comprising thousands of ‘forever chemicals’ that are environmentally persistent and present in soils, drinking water, foods, and in the bodies of wildlife and people worldwide.  PFAS are used in a wide variety of consumer products, industrial applications, and fire-fighting foams because of their stain resistance, durability and nonstick properties.  

PFAS’ environmental persistence and widespread distribution are of serious concern, as PFAS are associated with cancer, heart disease, birth defects, liver disease, and decreased immunity. More research on PFAS toxicity and regulation of this class of chemicals is needed to protect human and ecosystem health worldwide.  

On November 11^th, CHE-Alaska was joined by Dr. Carla Ng, an Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, who leads a research lab modeling how PFAS interact with biological systems. Dr. Ng is the lead author of a recent research paper entitled, “Addressing Urgent Questions for PFAS in the 21^st Century”, and it is these ‘Urgent Questions’ that we’re gathering to learn more about (please find a link to the article’s abstract in the resource list below).  

In Alaska, the risk of PFAS exposure is heightened by decades of dispersive use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams at airports and military bases, releases from these facilities, and PFAS contamination of essential water supplies throughout the state. The investigative report on PFAS by Alaska Community Action on Toxics identified more than 100 individual PFAS source areas at nearly 30 locations across Alaska (see ACAT’s 2019 report below). 

To help protect future generations, we urgently need comprehensive state and federal policies to end unnecessary uses of PFAS. In the Alaska State Legislature, bills have been introduced by Sen. Jesse Kiehl and Rep. Sara Hannan, Senate Bill 121 and House Bill 171, to establish enforceable drinking water standards, phase out the use of PFAS in firefighting foam, and provide testing and safe water sources for communities affected by PFAS contamination. At the federal level, several bills have been introduced to protect drinking water and contaminated communities, prevent firefighter exposures, provide funding for remediation; and regulate PFAS in food packaging, textiles, personal care products, and firefighting foams.