https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/federal-study-finds-nearly-half-of-us-tap-water-contains-pfas/
A U.S. Geological Survey study found at least 45% of the nation's tap water contains PFAS — and parts of Minnesota are among the most affected.
in case you're like me and didn't know, PFAS refer to per- and polyflyoroalkyl substances, which seem to be correlated with negative health outcomes (re: developmental problems, cancer, fertility issues, etc) and are particularly tricky because they take a long time to break down.
they're highly hydrophobic substances used in e.g. teflon. their use has decreased as we've come to understand their harms more, but we're still dealing with the results of their high usage from the past. certain industries seem to still use it (stain repellants, polishes, paints, coatings)
Colloquially termed "forever chemicals" because they don't break down or degrade, just accumulate...
Just as a mod note, since this is about spreading environment harms, it seems to fit with "News that is American but has an international facet " to my eyes. I don't see a reason to move this to usnews exclusively.
I recommend a reverse osmosis filter for anyone concerned. They strip everything from the water and require very little maintenance (annual pre and post filters, the membranes themselves last a long time). I have a small tap for it in the kitchen and it also feeds my ice maker. No hauling water, no pouring water into filter systems.
So glad I bought a Berkey filter! https://www.berkeyfilters.com/pages/do-berkey-water-filters-remove-pfcs-and-pfas
Its manufacturer claims the filter can remove far more contaminants than other filters. Yet the Big Berkey is not independently certified to NSF/ANSI standards, like our other filter picks are.
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/big-berkey-water-filter-system/