The Challenge of PFAS with Dr. Linda S. Birnbaum

You can watch the recording here. 

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class comprising thousands of ‘forever chemicals’ that are environmentally persistent and present in soils, drinking water, foods, and in the bodies of wildlife and people worldwide.  PFAS are used in a wide variety of consumer products, industrial applications, and fire-fighting foams because of their stain resistance, durability, and nonstick properties.   

PFAS’ environmental persistence and widespread distribution are of serious concern, as PFAS are associated with cancer, heart disease, birth defects, liver disease, and decreased immunity. More research on PFAS toxicity and regulation of this class of chemicals is needed to protect human and ecosystem health worldwide. 

On December 16^th, CHE-Alaska will be joined by Dr. Linda S. Birnbaum, a toxicologist, microbiologist, and former federal scientist and director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program. Dr. Birnbaum will be presenting on the challenges with PFAS - what these chemicals are, where they are, and why PFAS exposure is such a serious public health issue in urgent need of national and class-based regulations.

These issues are especially important for Alaskans, as the risk of PFAS exposure is heightened in Alaska due to decades of dispersive use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams at airports and military bases and the unintentional release of PFAS from these facilities. This has resulted in PFAS-contaminated drinking water for thousands of Alaskans from the North Slope to Southeast Alaska. The investigative report on PFAS by Alaska Community Action on Toxics identified more than 100 individual PFAS source areas at nearly 30 locations across Alaska (see ACAT’s 2019 report below). 

To help protect future generations, we urgently need comprehensive state and federal policies to end unnecessary uses of PFAS. In the Alaska State Legislature, bills have been introduced by Sen. Jesse Kiehl and Rep. Sara Hannan, Senate Bill 121 and House Bill 171, to establish enforceable drinking water standards, phase out the use of PFAS in firefighting foam, and provide testing and safe water sources for communities affected by PFAS contamination. At the federal level, several bills have been introduced to protect drinking water and contaminated communities, prevent firefighter exposures, provide funding for remediation; and regulate PFAS in food packaging, textiles, personal care products, and firefighting foams. 

This call is hosted by the CHE-Alaska Partnership, which is coordinated by Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT). It will last for 60 minutes and will be recorded for the call and webinar archive.