Research has linked certain APF to a variety of potential health effects, including cancer, reducing vaccine response, reproductive problems, child development delays, hormonal problems and increased cholesterol levels.
Quebec’s toxicologist, Marc-André Verner, said that the last science suggests that there can be a safe level of exposure to PFAs.
At the same time, chemicals are so omnipresent that it does not take life near a hotspot to be exposed. In fact, the vast majority of Canadians have chemicals forever in their blood. The main way that many people are exposed is food, especially fish, seafood and meat.
But if you live near a contaminated site, your drinking water could also be an important exposure source.
“If it is in underground water and you are on a private well with the same groundwater, then it becomes a concern for you, that’s for sure,” said Verner.
His advice is to know what levels are in your drinking water and know what local managers do to solve the problem.
Health Canada advises any person concerned to reach out to local authorities to get advice.
