A recent survey, published in PLOS ONE, has uncovered a significant gap in public awareness regarding perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as “forever chemicals.”
Conducted by the Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI), the study highlights that most Americans are not familiar with PFAS or their associated health and environmental risks.
PFAS are a group of thousands of synthetic chemicals widely used since the 1940s in various products, including fire extinguishing foams, nonstick cookware, and food wrappers.
They are labeled as “forever chemicals” due to the durability of their carbon-fluorine bonds, which makes them extremely persistent in the environment and difficult to break down.
Allen Berthold, the interim director at TWRI and lead author of the study, emphasized the novelty of the survey in gauging public understanding of PFAS.
The results are telling: 45.1% of respondents were completely unaware of PFAS, and 31.6% had heard of them but did not know what they are.
The US Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed a national standard for PFAS in drinking water, underscoring the importance of managing these substances.
Despite this regulatory attention and media coverage, the survey revealed a significant lack of public awareness.
97.4% of respondents did not believe their drinking water was affected by PFAS, although a July report from the US Geological Survey estimated that 45% of the nation’s tap water contained PFAS.
Audrey McCrary, a program specialist at TWRI and coauthor of the study, pointed out the need to bridge this knowledge gap, especially given the widespread exposure to PFAS, including through drinking water.
The survey also found that awareness of PFAS was most strongly linked to community exposure.
However, Michael Schramm, a research specialist at TWRI and another coauthor, noted that even among those aware of exposure, about half did not know what PFAS were, indicating a substantial disconnect in public information.
Respondents aware of community exposure were more likely to recognize PFAS sources, alter their use of potentially contaminated items, and believe their drinking water was contaminated with PFAS.
The online survey involved 1,100 respondents from across the US, with data analysis led by Schramm.
Interestingly, the study found no significant differences in PFAS awareness, experience, or risk perception across various demographics, including race, gender, or age.
Stephanie deVilleneuvede, a research specialist and corresponding author of the study, remarked on the uniformity of perceptions across different groups. She described the research as a baseline data-gathering effort crucial for future endeavors in PFAS remediation and public education.
This survey by the Texas Water Resources Institute, affiliated with Texas A&M, highlights a critical need for increased public education and awareness regarding the presence and impacts of PFAS chemicals in the environment and daily life.
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The research findings can be found in PLOS ONE.
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