Understanding Forever Chemicals and PFAS

Which of the following is a common application of "forever chemicals"?

• Food preservatives

• Non-stick cookware

• Natural fertilizers

• Biodegradable packaging

What is a defining characteristic of "forever chemicals"?

• They are easily biodegradable.

• They break down quickly in the environment.

• They persist in the environment for thousands of years.

• They are only found in industrial settings.

What chemical bond is primarily responsible for the stability and persistence of PFAS?

• Carbon-Hydrogen bond

• Oxygen-Hydrogen bond

• Carbon-Fluorine bond

• Nitrogen-Carbon bond

What potential health issues are associated with exposure to "forever chemicals" like PFOA and PFOS?

• Improved vision and hearing

• Enhanced athletic performance

• Cancer, low birth weights, and thyroid disease

• Increased bone density

How do elevated exposures to perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) affect the immune response to routine childhood immunizations?

• They significantly increase antibody production.

• They lead to a reduced antibody response.

• They have no measurable impact on immunity.

• They only affect immunity in adults, not children.

What is a key characteristic of legacy PFAS compounds like PFOA and PFOS, even after their manufacturing has stopped?

• They quickly break down into harmless substances.

• They are easily removed from the environment through natural processes.

• They persist in the environment for thousands of years.

• They are no longer detectable in human blood samples.

Why are high concentrations of perfluorinated compounds (PFAS) often found in large municipal drinking water districts?

• These compounds are naturally abundant in the geological formations of such areas.

• Agricultural runoff from nearby farms introduces PFAS into the water supply.

• Factories that produce or use PFAS are typically located near these water sources.

• PFAS are added to municipal water as a disinfectant during treatment.

Which type of water filter is considered most efficient for removing PFAS contaminants, including GenX, from drinking water?

• Activated-carbon filters

• Two-stage filters

• Under-sink reverse osmosis filters

• Whole-house activated carbon systems