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Republicans try to gut protections against US military's Pfas pollution

Reporting from The Guardian details efforts in Congress to delay a ban on PFAS-laden firefighting foam (AFFF), cut cleanup funding, and lift a moratorium on incineration.

• The legislation would indefinitely delay a ban on toxic AFFF set to go into effect, which has been a primary source of contamination around hundreds of military bases.
• The moves come despite the fact that foam used at 630 bases has been found to be contaminating drinking water or groundwater.

Warnings issued over contamination caused by US military bases

Newsweek reports that the Department of Defense (DOD) has recently delayed the cleanup of PFAS chemicals at more than one hundred military bases.

• More than 700 military bases are thought to have drinking water contaminated with PFAS after the DOD began using AFFF in the 1970s.
• Experts called the delay "very concerning," warning of the health impacts already happening to those in neighboring communities.

Congress Members Question Defense Department's Delay in PFAS Cleanup

The New York Times reported that a bipartisan group of 36 Congress members asked the Defense Secretary to explain why the Pentagon pushed back its cleanup of "forever chemical" contamination at nearly 140 military sites.

• The delays extended the timelines for cleanup of contaminated water and soil by an average of five years, and in some cases by almost a decade.
• The DOD has been one of the most intensive users of PFAS, which are key ingredients in the firefighting foam used for training.

Sludge with forever chemicals spread on US farms threatens food supply, livelihoods

This report details how sewage sludge, or "biosolids," contaminated with PFAS is given to farmers for free and spread on farmland, threatening the food supply.

• Investigations in Michigan showed PFAS levels 2,000 times higher than the EPA's safety limit. In Colorado, 95% of samples exceeded the limit.
• This practice is allowed on "all conventional farms," meaning hundreds of millions of people in the U.S. could be eating food from farms that use biosolids.

Tennessee mandates PFAS testing for sewage sludge used on farms, local use continues

Tennessee has implemented a new mandate requiring testing for PFAS in sewage sludge (biosolids) before it can be used on farms, due to growing health concerns.

• This action aims to ensure sludge applied to agricultural land does not contain harmful levels of these "forever chemicals."
• Critics question if the testing will lead to meaningful enforcement, as the local use of biosolids continues.

Advocates raise alarm over Pfas pollution from datacenters amid AI boom

The Guardian reports on a new, emerging source of PFAS pollution: datacenters, which are in high demand due to the AI boom.

• PFAS are used in the "two-phase" refrigerant cooling systems for semiconductors and electronic equipment.
• PFAS are also used to produce the semiconductors themselves, increasing pollution around manufacturing plants.

It's literally raining “forever chemicals” in Miami

A study from Florida International University (FIU) found PFAS in Miami's rainwater, providing evidence that these toxic chemicals are circulating through the water cycle.

• This finding suggests PFAS can hitch a ride on the water cycle to circulate over greater distances.
• Exposure to PFAS has been linked to liver damage, fertility issues, cancer, and other diseases.

‘We’re just asking for water.’ Mattituck business owner battles contaminated well

A business owner in Mattituck, NY, discovered his private well water contained dangerously high levels of cancer-causing chemicals, including PFOS, a compound in the PFAS family.

• PFOS levels were 20 times above the legal threshold.
• The Suffolk County Department of Health Services confirmed elevated PFAS levels at 18 properties in the area.
• The owner was quoted $89,000 to hook up to the public water main, highlighting the extreme financial burden on affected citizens.

The hidden sources of forever chemicals leaking into rivers – and what to do about them

Research on the River Mersey in England found that some of the highest PFAS pollution levels recorded anywhere in the world are linked to old landfills, waste facilities, and past industrial activity.

• This demonstrates that even if PFAS were banned tomorrow, they would continue polluting rivers for decades from these "hidden sources."
• One banned, cancer-causing PFAS (PFOA) appeared to originate from a waste management facility, while another (PFOS) was linked to historic firefighting foam use at an airport.

Blood tests show highest levels of forever chemicals in those living near New Mexico plume

AP News reports on state health and environmental officials finding higher concentrations of PFAS chemicals in the blood of residents in one corner of New Mexico, near the Cannon Air Force Base plume.

Alarming levels of Pfas in blood of those living near US air force base, study finds

A state regulatory report found "alarming levels" of PFAS in the blood of people living or working near Cannon Air Force Base, which is responsible for polluting drinking water.

• The levels are high enough to raise health concerns and are about 10 times higher than those in the region who did not work in the contaminated zone.
• The pollution stems from PFAS-laden firefighting foam used by the military. About 99% of 628 blood samples tested had PFAS.

Study: 'Forever chemicals' in blood of 99.7% of people tested near Cannon Air Force Base

KOB.com reports that 99.7% of the more than 600 people who live or work near Cannon Air Force Base tested positive for "forever chemicals" in their blood.

• The chemicals, found in firefighting foam, are linked to health problems like cancer, liver damage, and immune system issues.

High levels of short-chain PFAS found in blood of residents living near chemical facility

Researchers found high levels of "ultrashort-chain" PFAS in blood samples from Wilmington, N.C. residents near an upstream chemical facility that was releasing PFAS into the Cape Fear River, the city's primary drinking water source.

• This is significant because short-chain PFAS were not thought to bioaccumulate, but are being found at high levels.
• This highlights the need to study the human health effects of these newly detected chemicals.

PFAS Exposure and Risk of Cancer

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) states that PFOA (a specific PFAS) was upgraded to a "human carcinogen" in 2023. PFOS was classified as a "possible human carcinogen."

• The NCI is actively researching links between PFAS and ovarian, endometrial, and prostate cancers.

Cancer in Military Pilots and Aircrews Will Be Studied Under Newly Signed Law

Military.com reports that an independent panel will study the high rates of cancer among military fixed-wing pilots and aircrews.

• A 2023 DOD study found that aircrew members had a 24% higher cancer rate than the general population.
• This included an 87% higher rate of melanoma, a 39% higher rate of thyroid cancer, and a 16% higher rate of prostate cancer.

Study: PFAS exposure in mice induces colorectal cancer

This scientific study provides evidence that scientists were able to intentionally induce colorectal cancer in mice through PFAS exposure, directly linking the chemical to the disease in a lab setting.

Study: Association of PFAS in drinking water with cancer incidence

This study found that PFAS in drinking water was associated with an increased incidence of cancers in the digestive, endocrine, oral cavity/pharynx, and respiratory systems.

• The strongest association was observed between PFBS and oral cavity/pharynx cancers.
• Among males, PFAS was associated with cancers in the urinary system, brain, leukemia, and soft tissues.
• Among females, PFAS was associated with cancers in the thyroid, oral cavity/pharynx, and soft tissue.

Study: PFAS and Prostate Cancer

This research article highlights that PFAS are known endocrine disruptors that may play a significant role in the development and progression of prostate cancer by interfering with the body's hormonal system.

• PFAS exposure has been found to alter androgen receptor activity, leading to the dysregulation of testosterone.
• Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) indicated that men with elevated PFAS exposure had a 30% higher risk of developing prostate cancer.

Study: PFAS and Prostate Cancer Development

This nutritional study concludes that "PFAS play a role in prostate cancer development and tumor progression."

Study: PFOA as a Renal Carcinogen

A study published on PubMed states that its "findings add substantially to the weight of evidence that PFOA is a renal carcinogen" (causes kidney cancer).

• The authors note this may have "important public health implications for the many individuals exposed to this ubiquitous and highly persistent chemical."

Study: PFAS Linked with Testicular Cancer Risk in U.S. Air Force Servicemen

Researchers analyzing pre-diagnostic blood samples from the Department of Defense Serum Repository found that higher blood concentrations of PFOS were associated with an increased risk of developing testicular cancer.

• The study motivates continued examination of PFOS exposure and testicular cancer risk in military and other highly exposed populations.

Study: PFAS exposure and the development of endometrial cancer

This study reviews the evolving evidence and proposes several mechanisms that explain the potential link between PFAS exposure and the development of endometrial cancer.

'Forever Chemicals' in Mothers' Blood Linked to Brain Changes in Their Kids

A study led by the University of Turku, Finland, found that the levels of PFAS in a mother's blood during pregnancy are associated with their children's brain structure and function.

• Researchers found that maternal PFAS levels were "linearly associated with many aspects of their children's brain structure."
• It is known that PFAS pass the placenta and the blood-brain barrier to accumulate in the brain, and can disturb developing brain cells.

Study: PFAS exposure and neurodevelopmental disorders

This scientific review suggests that children exposed to higher PFAS levels could potentially have an increased risk of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and ADHD, along with an inhibitory effect on IQ.

• The findings "provide valuable insights into the adverse effects associated with PFAS exposure and neurodevelopment."

Study: Literature review of early-life PFAS exposure and developmental delays

A comprehensive literature review of multiple studies found that "most studies found adverse associations between early-life PFAS exposure and early developmental milestones."

• This includes "poorer cognitive, language, motor, and socio-emotional outcomes."

Study: Pre-eclampsia risk and PFAS

This scientific article demonstrates that pre-eclampsia, a dangerous condition involving high blood pressure in pregnancy, is more likely to affect pregnant mothers and their unborn babies who have been exposed to PFAS.

Study: PFAS disrupts reproductive function in women

This study shows that both long- and short-chain PFAS disrupt normal reproductive function in women by "altering hormone secretion, menstrual cyclicity, and fertility."

Study: PFAS exposure alters the sperm epigenome

This study on mice found that an environmentally relevant PFAS cocktail "significantly reduced the rate of daily sperm production," likely due to decreased testosterone.

• PFAS-exposed spermatozoa displayed "marked alterations to their small non-coding RNA profile," which were linked to the dysregulation of early-embryonic gene expression.
• This provides mechanistic insight into how PFAS exposure impacts male reproductive health.

Study: Placental exchange and Fetal Hypoxia

This study identified an elevated risk of placental vascular problems from PFAS exposure.

• The study noted that "Higher percentages [of PFAS] were considered suggestive of reduced exchange that could potentially lead to fetal hypoxia" (a lack of oxygen to the fetus).

Study: PFAS cross the placenta from mother to child

This scientific paper confirms that PFAS chemicals are capable of crossing the placental barrier, passing from the mother to the unborn child.

Study: PFAS leached from mother to child via breast milk

This study shows that PFAS can be "leeched out of the mother into the child through breast milk."

• This process results in a reduction of blood-PFAS levels for the mother, but at the cost of transferring the chemical burden to the nursing infant.

Trump blames Tylenol for autism

In a press announcement, President Trump stated he believed Tylenol (acetaminophen) was "a very big factor" in autism risk.

Study: PFAS, metabolic disorders, and cellular metabolism

This scientific article links PFAS exposure to metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Study: PFAS, Neuropathy, and Nerve Damage

This article review from ScienceDirect and NIH explains that PFAS are a likely risk for neurotoxicity, as they cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the brain.

• Evidence suggests PFAS exposure is associated with an increased cause of death from Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.
• The paper found growing evidence that PFAS causes neurotoxicity by disrupting neurotransmission, particularly the dopamine and glutamate systems.

Military’s use of toxic ‘forever chemicals’ leaves lasting scars

This excerpt from the book "Poisoning the Well" details how PFAS compounds have devastated communities across the country, particularly around military installations like Peterson Space Force Base.

• PFAS exposure is associated with a host of health impacts, including various cancers and reproductive and immune system problems.

Scientists shocked as birds soaked in “forever chemicals” still thrive

In a surprising finding, ScienceDaily reports that tree swallows living in heavily polluted regions are accumulating high levels of PFAS, but researchers observed no significant impact on their reproduction.

• This suggests a possible, and unexpected, resilience in some wild populations, though the broader ecological impacts remain uncertain.

The Biggest Chemical Cover-Up In History Was Kept Hidden For Years

IFL Science reports that the manufacturers of "forever chemicals" were aware of the risks and deliberately concealed them, following a playbook "strikingly similar to that of Big Tobacco."

• PFAS are now ubiquitous, with up to 99 percent of people having these chemicals in their bodies, where they linger indefinitely.

3M timeline of toxicity: What the company knew about PFAS

A FOX 9 Investigators review of video depositions sheds light on how 3M company executives and scientists responded after first learning about widespread PFAS contamination.

• The company, which began producing PFAS in the 1950s for products like Scotchgard, has vowed to stop manufacturing PFAS by the end of 2025.
• A FOX 9 documentary reveals the inside story of how the company withheld early research into PFAS contamination.

EPA asks court to reverse its own PFAS drinking water standards

WCYB reports that after years of work to limit PFAS, the EPA has asked a federal court to reverse its own newly established standards for regulating PFAS in public water systems.

• The move stems from a lawsuit by organizations representing water utilities and chemical manufacturers. The EPA now says it agrees with parts of that lawsuit.
• Environmental advocates called the move "troubling" and warned that "it delays," meaning "we have to endure the risks of the contamination... for a longer period of time."

A Short-Lived Win in a Never-Ending Fight Over Forever Chemicals

Inside Climate News reports that after N.C. activists fought for seven years to convince the EPA to enact PFAS regulations, they are now "confronting a Trump administration intent on quashing their success."

• The EPA administrator announced his intention to rescind drinking water regulations for several PFAS compounds, including GenX, which has contaminated the region's drinking water.
• Residents who fought for the standards were left "devastated and enraged."

Trump EPA seeks to weaken scrutiny for some of US’s most toxic chemicals

The Guardian reported on a new rule that would shorten the time it takes to review chemicals and alter the methodology used to assess their dangers.

• The rule would also prohibit states from banning or restricting dangerous chemicals, potentially invalidating hundreds of state-level protections.
• A former EPA scientist called the move "a gift to industry wrapped on golden wrapping paper."

US Senate poised to approve industry lobbyist to lead chemical safety at EPA

The Guardian reports the US Senate is poised to confirm an industry lobbyist, Douglas Troutman, to lead the EPA's chemical safety office.

• If confirmed, the top four toxics office positions at the EPA will be held by former chemical industry lobbyists.
• One deputy administrator in the office, Nancy Beck, has helped lead the industry's charge against new drinking water limits for PFAS.

House Rep Demands Answers About Delayed EPA Report on PFNA

ProPublica reported that Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, is demanding answers from the EPA Administrator about a delayed toxicology report on PFNA, a type of PFAS.

• The EPA completed its toxicity assessment on PFNA in April, but the report, which reportedly links PFNA to developmental and reproductive harm, remains inaccessible to the public.
• Rep. Pingree accused the agency of undermining its scientific integrity and suggested a "growing pattern of interference" in scientific work.

Chemical companies lobbying MPs not to ban Pfas

An article from The Guardian reveals that chemical firms are lobbying Members of Parliament (MPs) not to ban "forever chemicals," using arguments disputed by scientists and described as "big tobacco playbook" tactics.

• PFAS are a family of about 10,000 chemicals, some linked to serious illnesses, including certain cancers.

Chemical Manufacturing Made New Jersey the ‘PFAS Toilet for the Country’

An Inside Climate News report details how New Jersey's history of chemical manufacturing led to massive contamination, and how the state's top environmental regulator is now using a record settlement from DuPont to clean it up.

VA Doctors Issue Warning Over Cuts to Veteran Healthcare

Nearly 100 current and former VA doctors issued a mass letter raising "urgent concerns" about policies they said will "negatively affect the lives of all veterans," including staffing cuts and aggressive privatization.

• The letter warns that facilities may be forced to close, and veterans forced into costlier community health systems "ill-equipped to meet their specialized needs."
• This is critical as many veterans require ongoing treatment for overlapping conditions, including cancers caused by toxic exposure.

CDC/ATSDR Guidance on Breastfeeding and PFAS

The CDC's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) acknowledges that PFAS can be found in human breast milk and can be passed to a nursing infant.

• Research has shown PFAS can be excreted through lactation.
• Despite this, the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics state that "current science suggests the benefits of breastfeeding or providing human milk outweigh potential risks of PFAS."
• Animal studies, however, did provide evidence of associations between PFOA exposure through breastfeeding and reduced body weight gain, mammary gland development, and thyroid hormone levels.

‘I can’t let him go’: Those impacted by Camp Lejeune’s toxic water

This article details the legal battle for victims of the Camp Lejeune water contamination, a similar toxic exposure crisis. It highlights the government's "foot-dragging" and attempts to "shape the boundaries of the science before any jury hears a case."

• The government is challenging causation and questioning exposure models to limit what evidence reaches the court.
• The "Elective Option" for a faster settlement has delivered "little more than frustration and lowball settlement offers for most victims."

Wisconsin cautions hunters about PFAS in ducks

A consumption advisory was issued for ducks harvested in the Green Bay area after testing revealed elevated levels of PFAS in the water and wildlife.

• This highlights the risk to the food chain and is especially concerning for vulnerable populations.

Research reveals ‘forever chemicals’ present in beer

The American Chemical Society published research that tested beers from across the U.S. and found PFAS.

• Some of the beers had PFAS levels that exceeded the EPA's drinking water limits.
• The study found a strong correlation between PFAS in local drinking water and elevated levels in the beer brewed there, identifying drinking water as the key source.

Worse Than We Thought: “Forever Chemicals” Are Far More Acidic

A SciTechDaily report explains that new, more precise measurements show PFAS are far more acidic than previously believed.

• This strong acidity is what helps them dissolve in water, which allows them to spread more easily and linger in the environment.

Officials warn residents after discovering dangerous substances in drinking water

This article from The Cool Down discusses the shock residents feel upon learning their water is contaminated, referencing the Flint water crisis as a key example of a cover-up and catastrophic public health failure.

• The article highlights the legacy of distrust that remains long after official assurances, as many residents still refuse to drink tap water.

Major study exposes the ‘most underrated threat facing humanity’

This article from The Independent covers a major study, likely related to the pervasive and systemic threats (like PFAS) that are often overlooked.

New Jersey secures up to $2B settlement from 3 chemical makers

AP News reports that DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva will pay New Jersey up to $2 billion to settle environmental claims stemming from "forever chemicals."

• The deal is the largest such settlement in the state's history and will fund remediation at four major industrial sites.
• The State Environmental Commissioner stated, "Polluters who place profit above public well-being... can expect to be held responsible to clean up their mess."

NJ Residents to Receive $4.9 Million Settlement for PFAS Contamination

Inside Climate News reports that 60,000 residential water customers in New Jersey will share a $4.9 million settlement from a lawsuit against Middlesex Water Co. and 3M.

• The suit charged the companies with violating a state health limit on PFOA in drinking water.
• This case may become a "template for other communities" nationwide to win compensation for out-of-pocket expenses incurred from contamination.

Columbus gets millions in 3M settlement over forever chemicals

The City of Columbus announced it received $4 million in initial settlement funds from its lawsuit against several major chemical companies, including 3M, for their negligence in producing "forever chemicals."

• The lawsuit argued that companies like 3M "knew the dangers" and "failed to warn consumers and the public."
• The City Attorney stated, "This settlement ensures that these companies—not ratepayers—are on the hook for cleaning up the mess they made."

Farmer sees hope in breakthrough cholesterol drug for PFAS treatment

A farmer in Maine is expressing hope in a potential new treatment: an older cholesterol drug that has been found to effectively remove PFAS from the body.

• This breakthrough could provide a viable treatment option to improve health outcomes for those exposed to the contaminants.

Ball mill technique produces nanoscale scaffolds that filter PFAS

A team led by the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) has developed a new filter material—nanoscale scaffolds—that can remove PFAS from water.

• Known as "covalent organic frameworks" (COFs), these scaffolds have pores just a few nanometers across, causing PFAS molecules to get stuck inside them.
• The material is produced using an environmentally friendly "ball mill" technique, offering a sustainable path for industrial-scale filtration.

Bills again filed to address PFAS contamination

Massachusetts lawmakers have re-filed legislation to help municipalities and water systems clean up contamination, establish a remediation fund, and phase out the use of PFAS.

• The bill's sponsor noted that Massachusetts is no longer "in the vanguard" on this issue, as 13 or 14 other states have already passed similar legislation.
• This signals a growing legislative movement at the state level to hold polluters accountable and protect public health.