“Forever Chemicals” In At Least 45 Percent Of US Tap Water: USGS Study

“Forever Chemicals”

In At Least 45 Percent Of US Tap Water: USGS Study 

By Mimi Nguyen Ly

Posted on 07/09/2023

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Nearly half of the tap water in the United States is estimated to have what are known as “forever chemicals,” also referred to as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

The study by the U.S. Geological Survey tested for the presence of 32 types of PFAS from samples taken from 716 locations—269 private wells and 447 public supply—across the nation from 2016 to 2021.

Based on these samples, USGS researchers determined by modeling that, on average, at least one PFAS is detected in about 45 percent of U.S. tap water.

There are more than 12,000 types of PFAS, which are invisible man-made chemicals, high levels of which have been linked to adverse health issues, including various cancers, reproductive issues, and adverse effects on immune function. But not all of the PFAS types can be detected with current tests.

This USGS map shows the number of PFAS detected in tap water samples from select sites across the nation. The findings are based on a USGS study of samples taken between 2016 and 2021 from private and public supplies at 716 locations. The map does not represent the only locations in the U.S. with PFAS. (USGS)

“USGS scientists tested water collected directly from people’s kitchen sinks across the nation, providing the most comprehensive study to date on PFAS in tap water from both private wells and public supplies,” USGS research hydrologist Kelly Smalling, the study’s lead author, said in a statement on July 5.

“The study estimates that at least one type of PFAS—of those that were monitored—could be present in nearly half of the tap water in the U.S. Furthermore, PFAS concentrations were similar between public supplies and private wells.”

PFAS are colloquially referred to as “forever chemicals” because they don’t easily break down in the human body or the environment, and some of them never fully break down. These substances are known for their resistance to grease, oil, water, and heat, and as such, can be used in a wide range of products, including non-stick cookware, stain- and water-resistant fabrics and carpets, as well as cleaning products, paints, water repellents, and fire-fighting foams.

A USGS scientist wearing black gloves is collecting a sample of tap water from the kitchen sink using small plastic vials to test for PFAS. (Paul Bradley/USGS)

According to the USGS, the study marks “the first time anyone has tested for and compared PFAS in tap water from both private and government-regulated public water supplies” on a broad scale throughout the United States.

“Those data were used to model and estimate PFAS contamination nationwide. This USGS study can help members of the public to understand their risk of exposure and inform policy and management decisions regarding testing and treatment options for drinking water,” the agency said in a release.

More Risk of PFAS Exposure in Urban Areas

Urban areas are more at risk of PFAS exposure compared to rural areas, with the forever chemicals detected in over 70 percent of urban areas or areas with a known history of PFAS contamination, compared to 8 percent of rural areas. 

Researchers observed the exposure in urban areas including around the Great Plains, Great Lakes, Eastern Seaboard, and Central/Southern California regions.

Mimi Nguyen Ly

Source

The Healing Power of Water

The Healing Power of Water

By Nick Polizzi

Posted on March 9, 2023

The renowned martial arts master Bruce Lee once said:

“Be like water, making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it.”

Wise words.

Water itself is the guest of honor for today’s piece. We’re going to get into the nitty gritty of how to make sure you’re getting the best water into your glass and why it’s so vital to your health!

Did you ever wonder why so many of us love to walk along the ocean?

Studies have shown that people who live near or next to a body of water are 10 percent happier . Researchers from the University of Exeter — in England — found that people who lived within a mile from the sea were 22 percent less likely to experience mental health disorders — such as anxiety and depression. Isn’t that incredible?

Just being close to these “blue spaces” — as scientists refer to them — increases our happiness.

Marine biologist, Wallace J. Nichols, calls the “immeasurable sense of peace that we feel around water” our “blue mind.”

Water gives and teaches us so much — but the simple everyday-ness of it makes it easy to take it for granted. That said, we all know there’s nothing quite like that feeling of drinking cold, clear water when you’re parched. Or the sheer joy of diving into a crystal clear lake on a sweltering day.

We need H20.

The truth is, without water,  we can only live a matter of days — that’s how critically our body relies on water to survive. Food on the other hand? We can get by without eating for weeks — so long as we’re drinking at least 1.5 liters of water per day.

But to truly thrive and live our best lives, some experts believe we really should be hydrating way more than that — as much as 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of water a day for men, and 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) a day for women.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN YOUR WATER:

Pure, mineral-rich, clean water offers incredible benefits for your body and mind. Here’s what you should be looking for in your drinking water:

• It’s free of contaminants like fungi, bacteria, and parasites
• It’s rich in essential minerals like sulfur, manganese, and calcium
• It’s alkaline, which means it has a pH above 7 and may offer added benefits.

So, where can you get the highest-quality water to nourish your body?

Spoiler alert: it doesn’t come from your tap.

WHERE TO GET YOUR WATER

Spring Water

Spring water, sourced and stored safely, is your best bet. This pure source of water, straight from Mother Earth herself, delivers so many vital minerals our bodies desperately crave.

Anyone who has had the privilege of drinking right from a mountain spring will tell you it is the best-tasting and most thirst-quenching water they’ve ever had.

A great resource to find a fresh spring near you is https://findaspring.com. This site has an extensive map of hot and cold springs all over the world. You’ll want to “favorite” this site!

Many people mistakenly think that like spring water, well water is a great, natural source of minerals too. While it’s true that well water does contain many minerals — if they’re the wrong kinds of minerals, the water can be very hard on our bodies.

Well Water

The water that comes from wells is sometimes actually called “hard” water because it has bubbled up through rock formations like limestone. In the process, the water takes on a higher amount of certain minerals than our body can handle. People who drink water from the wrong wells can develop dry hair and dull skin.

I remember one time in the Amazon, the only source of freshwater available was from a well. Let’s just say the mineral content of that water did not sit well with my body!

Tap Water

Did you know the water that most of us drink — tap water — is probably among the least nourishing?

Tap water can be full of hidden toxins. Even under current Environmental Protection Agency standards, tap water can contain trace levels of pesticides, harsh chemicals, aluminum, plastic, and heavy metals.

Plus, tap water is treated with chlorine to kill bacteria. You know… chlorine — the same chemical that’s poured into public swimming pools to keep them looking clean. While small doses of chlorine are supposed to be harmless, there’s new evidence that regular ingestion of chlorine can lead to gut complications… or even cancer.

Tap water also contains fluoride. 

While many public health officials state that fluoridating water helps to protect tooth enamel, fluoride research actually reveals the opposite — fluoridated water causes dental fluorosis or the discoloration of the enamel.

Nowadays, we also know that fluoride can calcify (or harden) the pineal gland in your brain, The pineal gland regulates sleep and hormones — and it’s long been linked to the idea of the “third eye” — a spiritual bridge that leads to higher states of enlightenment, inner wisdom, and intuition.

Drinking pure, natural spring water, or water that has filtered out the fluoride, may help to heal and soften our pineal glands… and expand our consciousness.

Water heals our bodies in so many other ways too.

THE HEALING POWER OF WATER

This miracle liquid supports digestion and transports nutrients throughout the body, flushes bacteria through the kidneys and out of the bladder, carries oxygen to the cells, regulates our temperature, energizes muscles, helps the function of our organs, lubricates and cushions our joints and spinal cord… the list just goes on and on!

Water scientist Masaru Emoto also believed that while water can heal us, we can heal water. This pioneering thinker conducted research on frozen water and found that it holds and responds to the energetic frequencies directed towards it.

Emotu’s ground-breaking research discovered that water has the ability to copy and transfer information. Water exposed to violent, hateful messages tended to form fragmented, lopsided crystals.

But when we direct loving, grateful vibrations towards the water we drink, the water responds by moving into symmetrical, beautiful patterns. Emotu taught that when we send these positive intentions towards our water, we can help to purify and energetically transform it.

What a beautiful thought to finish with — in the same way this incredible liquid hydrates and heals us, we too can heal water. For me, this simply serves as proof of the sacred relationship between water and humans.

So why not honor that sacred connection by hydrating your body — your temple — with the purest, highest-quality water possible?

I hope the information above helps you do just that!

Stay Curious,

Nick Polizzi

Host of Remedy: Ancient Medicine For Modern Illness

& Founder of The Sacred Science

https://www.thesacredscience.com/