By: Tracey MacDermott
NFBPWC Environment and Sustainable Development Committee Chair (2024-2026)

Tall Drink of Water More Must Be Done To Protect Us From Forever Chemicals

This opinion piece was originally published in The Greater Park Hill News, where the author is a monthly columnist. Previous columns can be found here: http://greaterparkhill.org/?s=tracey+macdermott

For several years you may have been hearing commercials about Camp Lejeune and water contamination. Maybe you wondered what it was about or simply ignored the infomercial. Maybe you got tired of being barraged about the contamination via constant television ads.

However, the presence of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a serious issue. At Camp Lejeune, a military base in North Carolina, toxic chemicals contaminated the drinking water for decades, beginning in the 1950s and into the 1980s. Many of the compounds that contaminated the water are PFAS — more commonly known as forever chemicals. They are linked to various cancers and other medical issues.

These chemicals do not naturally break down. The Veterans Administration compared the medical records of 172,000 veterans who had been at Camp Lejeune and 168,000 veterans who were at Camp Pendleton in California during the same time period. Camp Lejeune veterans had a 70 percent higher risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease.

Last year, The Guardian reported that chemicals that came from at least 245 US military bases have contaminated or threatened to pollute drinking water in nearby communities. The military’s use of firefighting foam, which releases the chemicals during discharge, is one of the largest PFAS polluters on the planet.

Forever chemicals can seep into drinking water supplies through various ways, including leaching from landfills, land application of contaminated sludge and treatment plants. The Environmental Protection Agency has confirmed that these chemicals are widespread. They are found in water, air, soil, and in fish across the globe.

Last year, Perfluoroocatanoic Acid — which is a type of forever chemical — was reclassified as a human carcinogen. While we know that exposure to these chemicals among military personnel outpaces the general public, we are all at risk. Forever chemicals are in cookware, waterproof clothing, even mascara. Avoiding them seems nearly impossible.

In April the Biden administration took critical action to protect communities from forever chemicals. President Biden committed historic levels of funding to combat forever chemicals pollution and to delivering clean water. The Safe Drinking Water Act standard for forever chemicals sets rules to safeguard public health and requires public water systems to monitor and reduce the levels of PFAS from drinking water in the United States.

In 2022 Biden also signed a bipartisan bill to provide assistance to victims of Agent Orange and toxic burn pits.

However, there are currently no similar protections in place for military personnel who have been exposed to unacceptable levels of forever chemicals. Last year Congressman Dan Kildee of Michigan introduced the Veterans Exposed to Toxic PFAS Act. While Congress is debating Kildee’s bill, and any subsequent pieces of legislation, what can you do to limit your own exposure? There are some simple measures to take:

1. Avoid products made with PFAS-treated fabric and stain resistant clothing and furniture.

2. Bring your own take-out container to restaurants (it’s best to use non-plastic containers). Food packaging, microwave popcorn bags and grease-resistant paper have been shown to contain PFAS. Although, the FDA has taken some steps to limit their use in food packaging. In Colorado, HB22-1345 prohibits distributing any product in food packaging that contains forever chemicals.

3. Replace your non-stick pans with stainless steel, cast-iron, glass or ceramics.

4. Don’t heat up food wrapped in grease-resistant packaging.

A few more things you can do: On Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11 — and every day — thank a vet. And, do what you can to reduce your risk. Work for a safe and healthy planet.