A recent study has drawn attention by using highly questionable, misleading and widely criticized science to draw the conclusion that rainwater is not safe to drink due to PFAS.
The study relies on detected levels of PFAS that are well below detection limits of validated test methods available by USEPA, which raises serious questions about their reliability and accuracy.
Furthermore, the study compares these questionable levels to interim health advisories that have been highly criticized based on the underlying science and are based on a flawed analysis of the available data. In fact, one member of the Science Advisory Board reviewing the science behind these health advisories said, “If I was writing this as a review of a manuscript for a paper I would check the reject box.”
Industry continues to work closely with EPA and state agencies to ensure robust and responsible oversight of PFAS chemistries, including through the EPA’s comprehensive Strategic Roadmap.
All PFAS are not the same. Individual chemistries have their own unique health and environmental profiles. In fact, renewable energy, electronics, health care, transportation and air travel all rely on a particular category of fluorinated chemistries (fluoropolymers) that pose minimal threat to health and environment but offer tremendous benefits.
Promoting fear about PFAS chemistries does a disservice to the public and threatens to divert funding and resources from more pressing priorities.