PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been found in bottled water in places like Massachusetts, according to a Massachusetts Department of Public Health advisory, but are more commonly found in drinking water.
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) says there are more than 5,000 variants of PFAS. Additionally, there are no federally mandated levels for maximum contamination levels of PFAS. It is difficult to gauge the safety of PFAS when they are consumed in food and water.
It is easier to confirm the presence of PFAS in drinking water than in bottled water, especially near military bases and communities where firefighting chemical runoff is a concern. PFAS are also used in household products, food packaging, cleaning supplies, and more. There are PFAS in bottled water, but there are no rules for what consumption is “safe.”
About PFAS and Drinking Water Regulations
Scientists are making efforts to understand the thousands of forms of PFAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in order to mitigate the risk of negative health effects for populations where PFAS levels are highest.
Scientists may not have a conclusive answer for whether PFAS are in bottled water, but the risk of PFAS has been thoroughly studied. The CDC reports that high-level PFAS exposure could lead to dysfunction of the thyroid, liver, pancreas, and hormone distribution.
No Determined “Safe Levels” of PFAS
The latest actions taken by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to control dangerous PFAS levels include identifying nationwide contamination levels of two of the most frequently detected PFAS: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS).
This initiative began as the EPA carries out the annual proceedings of the 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act. However, there is not currently a federal law that sets a maximum level of acceptable amounts of PFAS. This can make it difficult for consumers to educate themselves on potentials risks and how to avoid them.
PFAS Exposure Could Put Your Health at Risk
The Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR) reports that high-level PFAS exposure could also put you at an increased risk for cancer and high cholesterol.
If you were exposed to PFAS and have become ill as a result, you might be able to recover financial compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. Some of the awards you could recover include:
- Medical treatment
- Transportation costs
- Ongoing care costs
- Past and future lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
This is not a full list of the compensation you may be entitled to after being exposed to PFAS in bottled or drinking water. You might benefit from consulting an attorney on what awards your case could result in.
Understand Your Risk for PFAS Contamination
Millions of Americans get their water from the same places, so in communities with high levels of PFAS in the water supply, the likelihood of becoming ill from the exposure is higher.
Communities across the United States are testing water supplies, which are believed to have higher than normal levels of PFAS. According to the ATSDR, contaminated blood levels of people knowingly exposed to PFAS were highest in people who worked for manufacturing companies known to use and sell PFAS products. Consequently, millions of Americans are joining and initiating class action lawsuits to hold the companies that exposed them to the potential risks of PFAS liable for the damages.
Class Action Lawsuits Against PFAS Companies
Massive class action lawsuits are building cases against corporations that regularly exposed employees and customers to PFAS chemicals. While current federal regulations do not prevent companies from using these chemicals, the effects of PFAS and potentially harmful substances like it are becoming public knowledge. However, some people believe these corporations did not adequately warn them of the harmful effects PFAS can have on the human body.
If you suspect that your health issues were caused by exposure to PFAS, you do not have to handle your case alone. Speak with a member of Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to discuss your case now at (800) 788-4155. We offer a free, no-obligation case evaluation. We also work on a contingency basis, meaning we do not get paid until your case results in a settlement. In other words, you have nothing to lose by calling our firm.