A new study shows that in the US, communities that drink water with ‘forever chemicals’ have up to 33 percent more cases of some cancers.
These chemicals, called PFAS (short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), can cause cancer. They have been linked to kidney, breast, and testicular cancer. One chemical, called PFOA, is known to cause cancer.
PFAS chemicals have been used in many products since the 1940s. They are strong and do not break down easily. Because of this, they can stay in the environment and in our bodies.
These chemicals are in raincoats, food wrappers, cooking pans, and firefighting foam. They can get into our food and drinking water.
The study looked at data from 1,080 US counties from 2016 to 2021. It found that PFAS in drinking water may cause up to 7,000 cancer cases each year.
Researchers say we need to pay attention to PFAS and make stricter rules about these chemicals.
This research was published in a science journal.
Vocabulary List:
- Chemicals /ˈkɛmɪkəlz/ (noun): Substances with a defined composition that undergoes change in chemical reactions.
- Cancer /ˈkænsər/ (noun): A disease characterized by the uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body.
- Stricter /ˈstrɪktər/ (adjective): More tightly controlled or enforced.
- Linked /lɪŋkt/ (verb): Connected or associated with something else.
- Environment /ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt/ (noun): The surroundings or conditions in which a person animal or plant lives or operates.
- Researchers /rɪˈsɜrʧərz/ (noun): Individuals who conduct investigations into and study materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions.
How much do you know?
