4. Understanding PFAS and How You Are Probably Drinking It

This episode I talk with Greg Barnes, who is an investigative journalist with NC Health News. Greg has been instrumental in exposing problems with regulating PFAS and 1,4 dioxane. He breaks down the importance / dangers of PFAS, and how industries have been using them since the 40's but there are now increasingly high levels in North Carolina water systems causing adverse health effects. We also talk about another chemical 1,4 dioxane and how that is also showing up in the water. These chemicals are very persistent in the environment and in the human body – meaning they don’t break down and they can accumulate over time. We discuss ways we can protect ourselves and hold industries accountable for these chemicals. EPA PFAS definition: PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that includes PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and an estimated 5,000 types of PFAS. PFAS can be found in everything from Teflon pans to raincoats to food packaging and dental floss just to name a few. How to contact and connect with Greg: [email protected] or northcarolinahealthnews.org Read all of Greg’s stories here: https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/author/gregbarnes/ https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2020/02/03/new-deq-data-show-high-levels-of-pfas-in-cape-fear-river-basin/ EPA PFAS page: https://www.epa.gov/pfas/basic-information-pfas Check out your State’s PFAS levels: https://www.epa.gov/pfas/us-state-resources-about-pfas https://www.nrdc.org/experts/anna-reade/epa-yet-again-fails-set-health-protective-levels-pfas Reverse osmosis Filtration systems: https://www.homedepot.com/b/Kitchen-Water-Filters-Water-Filtration-Systems-Reverse-Osmosis-Systems/N-5yc1vZcdb1 Background Music Credits: https://www.youtube.com/c/mbbmusic https://soundcloud.com/mbbofficial https://www.instagram.com/mbb_music