'Make PFAS testing available' “We need to continue to identify communities with elevated PFAS exposure, learn more about specific health impacts, make testing available to patients, and give clinicians more strategies for counseling patients and providing preventive medical care,” Calonge added in the press statement. PFAS, the 'forever chemical' PFAS is an acronym for a class of chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The scope of the list underscored that virtually no part of America appears free from the potential risk of air and water contamination with PFAS. People found with PFAS in their blood at levels higher than 20 ng/ml potentially face a higher risk, the report states. Environmental justice and systemic racism The report notes that systemic racism and issues of environmental justice could compound the “challenge of responding clinically" to PFAS contamination.

Source: Washington Post July 28, 2022 20:47 UTC