What Are PFAS Chemicals?
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals used since the 1940s in manufacturing and consumer products such as:
- Non-stick cookware
- Water-repellent clothing
- Food packaging
- Firefighting foam
These “forever chemicals” are resistant to water, heat, and oil—and they don’t break down in the environment or in the human body. Over time, they accumulate in soil, drinking water, and even human blood.
How Does PFAS Contaminate Water?
The most common way PFAS enter drinking water is through industrial runoff and firefighting foam used on military bases and airfields. Once these chemicals seep into groundwater or surface water supplies, they can remain for decades.
Communities located near military installations, chemical plants, and airports are at the highest risk. In many areas across the U.S., people have unknowingly consumed PFAS-contaminated water for years.
If you lived within one mile of a known contaminated site for at least one cumulative year, you may qualify for legal action.
Health Risks Associated with PFAS Exposure
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) have linked PFAS exposure to a number of serious medical conditions, especially when exposure occurs over long periods.
Common PFAS-related health conditions include:
- Kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Liver cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Thyroid disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Pregnancy complications
- Immune system suppression
Many of these conditions may not appear for years after exposure, making it critical to monitor your health and speak with a qualified attorney if you suspect your water may have been contaminated.
Military Bases and High-Risk Areas
One of the most widespread uses of PFAS is in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), a fire suppressant used by the military and aviation sectors. Numerous military bases have been found to have high levels of PFAS in surrounding groundwater.
Veterans, active-duty personnel, and civilians who lived near these installations may have been unknowingly exposed. Some military bases in South Carolina and neighboring states are now listed as EPA Superfund Sites due to the severity of contamination.
