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Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Is it safe to drink rainwater? Scientists reveal the answer
As the monsoon season arrives in India, people across the country begin to store, use, or simply enjoy the rain and the refreshing feel of rainwater. Remember your childhood, standing in the rain with arms wide open, face tilted to the sky, mouth open to catch those cool drops straight from the clouds? It felt pure and magical. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But is rainwater really safe to drink today? Environmental scientists say the answer is more complicated than it seems. While rainwater may look clean, it can contain pollutants like dust, ash, heavy metals from rooftops, or more concerning, invisible 'forever chemicals' that never break down and now appear even in the most remote rainwater samples worldwide. What are PFAS and why are they a concern? According to Dr. Ian Cousins, an environmental scientist at Stockholm University, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been used for decades in firefighting foams, non-stick cookware, food packaging, and water-repellent fabrics. These chemicals are known as 'forever chemicals' because they do not degrade naturally and persist in the environment for generations. In a global study co-authored by Cousins, Dr. Bo Sha, Dr. Jana H. Johansson, Dr. Martin Scheringer, and Dr. Matthew Salter, PFAS were detected in rainwater from regions as isolated as the Tibetan Plateau and Antarctica. Their findings indicate that due to widespread atmospheric contamination, rainwater across the planet may now contain PFAS levels that exceed safety guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Health risks linked to PFAS exposure Only four PFAS compounds—PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, and PFNA—have been extensively studied, yet these alone are linked to serious health risks. Dr. Cousins and his team note that elevated exposure to these chemicals has been associated with increased risks of thyroid disease, liver enlargement, high cholesterol, immune suppression, pregnancy complications, and even certain cancers. One particularly concerning effect is the reduced effectiveness of vaccines in children, a risk that prompted the EPA to drastically lower its recommended PFAS limits for drinking water. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While the overall levels of these chemicals in the environment have not increased in recent years, their extreme stability means that they have remained above health advisory thresholds since the early 2000s and are unlikely to decline significantly for decades. What can be done and is rainwater still drinkable? When asked whether rainwater is safe to drink, Dr. Cousins and colleagues expressed caution. 'We are uncertain,' they wrote. While extremely low PFAS levels (in picograms or nanograms per liter) may not cause noticeable harm immediately, the cumulative risks remain. Current health advisories are based on precautionary principles designed to protect public health even in worst-case exposure scenarios. Although technologies exist to filter PFAS from water, removing them to levels below current safety standards is difficult and expensive. There is no way to eliminate PFAS from food, and they are present even in indoor dust. As Dr. Cousins emphasizes, 'Humans will have to live with some level of PFAS exposure,' but unnecessary uses must be restricted. The team concludes that all PFAS uses should be critically evaluated for essentiality. 'PFAS have no place in the natural environment,' said Dr. Martin Scheringer, co-author of the study, adding that policy must shift toward minimizing their spread and use wherever possible. The final takeaway So, is it safe to drink rainwater during this monsoon? Not without proper treatment. While it may feel nostalgic and pure, the reality is that even rain falling in remote corners of the world can carry microscopic chemical residues that could pose risks over time. Experts like Dr. Ian Cousins and his colleagues urge caution and suggest relying on filtered or regulated water sources for drinking, while pushing for global reforms in PFAS usage. The rain still brings joy but when it comes to your drinking water, science says it's better to be safe than sorry.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Exposure to 'forever chemicals' before birth linked to higher blood pressure in kids
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) -- toxic chemicals found in products like nonstick pans and personal care items -- can linger in the body for up to 20 years, earning them the nickname "forever chemicals," professor and lead study author Mingyu Zhang of Harvard Medical School told ABC News. Forever chemicals have come under growing scrutiny in recent years because they build up in the body and may trigger health problems, according to a growing body of research. In this new study, Zhang and his team found that when babies were exposed in the womb to specific types of forever chemicals -- PFDeA, PFNA, and PFUnA -- they had higher systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) later in life, possibly because these chemicals can cross the placenta during pregnancy and affect early development. MORE: How PFAS are entering America's water supply "PFAS exposure in the womb can affect fetal growth. There may be potential mechanisms that involve inflammation and oxidative stress that can cause PFAS' long-term health-related changes to blood pressure," Zhang said. The risk does not affect all children equally. The association was stronger for teens, boys and Black children. In boys, higher exposure to the forever chemical PFDeA was linked to a 9% greater risk of high blood pressure from ages 6 to 12, and a 17% greater risk during the teen years. Zhang cites previous studies showing that boys could be more sensitive to environmental pollutants due to slower removal rates of toxins from the body and higher rates of buildup. When it comes to the effect on older children, Zhang speculated that because PFAS stay in the body for so long, it may take longer for their effects to take hold. Children of Black mothers showed stronger links between PFAS exposure and high blood pressure, which the authors feel may reflect the combined impact of systemic racism, housing segregation and greater environmental exposure. "We know that due to historic reasons, Black and Hispanic communities face a higher burden of environmental pollutants," he says. Some of the forever chemicals -- including PFHpS, PFOS, and PFOA -- were linked to lower diastolic blood pressure in early childhood, the study found. That's the lower number in a blood pressure reading reflecting when the heart rests between beats. But as kids got older, the effect faded and may have even reversed -- these same chemicals were possibly tied to higher diastolic pressure in adolescence. MORE: EPA announces limits on some 'forever chemicals,' but just a fraction are covered Zhang said that these findings matter because children with high blood pressure are much more likely to carry it into adulthood, raising their long-term risk for heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems. Early-life blood pressure patterns can set the stage for serious health issues later on, he noted. He called for more research into the health effects of forever chemicals as well as policies that focus on reducing their use. "Meaningful change to reduce PFAS exposure in our daily life requires policy-level change on the state and federal levels," he said. "This will really help the health of children for generations to come." Dr. Adeiyewunmi (Ade) Osinubi is an emergency medicine resident physician at the University of Pennsylvania and is a member of the ABC News Medical Unit. Exposure to 'forever chemicals' before birth linked to higher blood pressure in kids originally appeared on
12-06-2025
- Health
Exposure to 'forever chemicals' before birth linked to higher blood pressure in kids
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) -- toxic chemicals found in products like nonstick pans and personal care items -- can linger in the body for up to 20 years, earning them the nickname "forever chemicals," professor and lead study author Mingyu Zhang of Harvard Medical School told ABC News. Forever chemicals have come under growing scrutiny in recent years because they build up in the body and may trigger health problems, according to a growing body of research. In this new study, Zhang and his team found that when babies were exposed in the womb to specific types of forever chemicals -- PFDeA, PFNA, and PFUnA -- they had higher systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) later in life, possibly because these chemicals can cross the placenta during pregnancy and affect early development. "PFAS exposure in the womb can affect fetal growth. There may be potential mechanisms that involve inflammation and oxidative stress that can cause PFAS' long-term health-related changes to blood pressure," Zhang said. The risk does not affect all children equally. The association was stronger for teens, boys and Black children. In boys, higher exposure to the forever chemical PFDeA was linked to a 9% greater risk of high blood pressure from ages 6 to 12, and a 17% greater risk during the teen years. Zhang cites previous studies showing that boys could be more sensitive to environmental pollutants due to slower removal rates of toxins from the body and higher rates of buildup. When it comes to the effect on older children, Zhang speculated that because PFAS stay in the body for so long, it may take longer for their effects to take hold. Children of Black mothers showed stronger links between PFAS exposure and high blood pressure, which the authors feel may reflect the combined impact of systemic racism, housing segregation and greater environmental exposure. "We know that due to historic reasons, Black and Hispanic communities face a higher burden of environmental pollutants," he says. Some of the forever chemicals -- including PFHpS, PFOS, and PFOA -- were linked to lower diastolic blood pressure in early childhood, the study found. That's the lower number in a blood pressure reading reflecting when the heart rests between beats. But as kids got older, the effect faded and may have even reversed -- these same chemicals were possibly tied to higher diastolic pressure in adolescence. Zhang said that these findings matter because children with high blood pressure are much more likely to carry it into adulthood, raising their long-term risk for heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems. Early-life blood pressure patterns can set the stage for serious health issues later on, he noted. He called for more research into the health effects of forever chemicals as well as policies that focus on reducing their use. "Meaningful change to reduce PFAS exposure in our daily life requires policy-level change on the state and federal levels," he said. "This will really help the health of children for generations to come."
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Exposure to 'forever chemicals' before birth linked to higher blood pressure in kids
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) -- toxic chemicals found in products like nonstick pans and personal care items -- can linger in the body for up to 20 years, earning them the nickname "forever chemicals," Professor and lead study author Mingyu Zhang of Harvard Medical School told ABC News. Forever chemicals have come under growing scrutiny in recent years because they build up in the body and may trigger health problems, according to a growing body of research. In this new study, Zhang and his team found that when babies were exposed in the womb to specific types of forever chemicals -- PFDeA, PFNA, and PFUnA -- they had higher systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) later in life, possibly because these chemicals can cross the placenta during pregnancy and affect early development. MORE: How PFAS are entering America's water supply "PFAS exposure in the womb can affect fetal growth. There may be potential mechanisms that involve inflammation and oxidative stress that can cause PFAS' long term health related changes to blood pressure," Zhang said. The risk does not affect all children equally. The association was stronger for teens, boys and Black children. In boys, higher exposure to the forever chemical PFDeA was linked to a 9% greater risk of high blood pressure from ages 6 to 12, and a 17% greater risk during the teen years. Zhang cites previous studies showing that boys could be more sensitive to environmental pollutants due to slower removal rates of toxins from the body and higher rates of buildup. When it comes to the effect on older children, Zhang speculated that because PFAS stay in the body for so long, it may take longer for their effects to take hold. Children of Black mothers showed stronger links between PFAS exposure and high blood pressure, which the authors feel may reflect the combined impact of systemic racism, housing segregation and greater environmental exposure. "We know that due to historic reasons, Black and Hispanic communities face a higher burden of environmental pollutants," he says. Some of the forever chemicals -- including PFHpS, PFOS, and PFOA -- were linked to lower diastolic blood pressure in early childhood, the study found. That's the lower number in a blood pressure reading reflecting when the heart rests between beats. But as kids got older, the effect faded and may have even reversed -- these same chemicals were possibly tied to higher diastolic pressure in adolescence. MORE: EPA announces limits on some 'forever chemicals,' but just a fraction are covered Zhang said that these findings matter because children with high blood pressure are much more likely to carry it into adulthood, raising their long-term risk for heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems. Early-life blood pressure patterns can set the stage for serious health issues later on, he noted. He called for more research into the health effects of forever chemicals as well as policies that focus on reducing their use. "Meaningful change to reduce PFAS exposure in our daily life requires policy level change on state and federal levels," he said. "This will really help the health of children for generations to come." Dr. Adeiyewunmi (Ade) Osinubi is an emergency medicine resident physician at the University of Pennsylvania and is a member of the ABC News Medical Unit. Exposure to 'forever chemicals' before birth linked to higher blood pressure in kids originally appeared on
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
EPA weakens drinking water standards with latest repeal on regulations: 'This isn't a win for American public health'
The Environmental Protection Agency announced another regulatory repeal on Wednesday, this time targeting drinking water protections implemented last year. In April 2024, the Biden administration announced a "first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard" aimed at limiting Americans' exposure to PFAS, which are also known as "forever chemicals." In a press release issued at the time, the EPA said the "science is clear" on serious health risks posed by PFAS. The EPA stated that, as written, the rule limiting PFAS contamination in drinking water would "reduce PFAS exposure for approximately 100 million people, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce tens of thousands of serious illnesses." On Nov. 14, the EPA issued a second press release, detailing massive investments to address PFAS contamination in drinking water and the "unprecedented progress" achieved in the first few months during which the rule was in effect. On Wednesday, The Washington Post was first to report the latest development — President Donald Trump's administration disclosed new "plans to rescind and reconsider limits on four 'forever chemicals,'" just over a year after those limits were implemented. The outlet indicated the EPA planned to strike specific "regulations covering PFHxS, PFNA, GenX and PFBS," with no plans to issue any replacement rules until spring 2026. North Carolina resident Emily Donovan lives in a part of the state impacted by GenX-contaminated water, and she spoke to the Post about the EPA's reversal on "forever chemicals." Donovan said the EPA's decision to "rescind and reconsider GenX" represented a "victory for chemical companies" forced to act under the previous rule. "This isn't a win for American public health," she said of the plan. The EPA will keep standards set in the 2024 rule for two common types of PFAS, known as PFOA and PFOS, at 4 parts per trillion, which the Associated Press called "effectively the lowest level at which they can be reliably detected." That said, the EPA decided to give companies until 2031 to meet the new standards, instead of the previous administration's 2029 target. In discussions with oil companies on the campaign trail in May 2024, Trump "vowed to reverse dozens" of Biden-era climate policies in exchange for a $1 billion commitment to his re-election campaign. How often do you worry about the quality of your drinking water? Never Sometimes Often Always Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. In March, new EPA chief Lee Zeldin moved to seize a staggering $20 billion in funds appropriated by Congress to support clean energy projects. Around the same time, Trump claimed he instructed Zeldin to begin scaling back efficiency standards on household appliances like showers, toilets, and LED light bulbs. Our regulatory framework as it pertains to the environment is a patchwork of federal and state laws protecting Americans from contaminated water, dirty energy, and irresponsible corporate stewardship. As Trump's campaign pledge to oil companies illustrates, corporations can be far too willing to dispense with environmental regulations if they deem cleaning up after themselves too burdensome — which is precisely why such rules are imperative for a cleaner, more sustainable future. As the Post pointed out, 190 bills were introduced in 35 states in 2025, aimed at combating PFAS contamination at the state and local level as well, so the effort to combat the problem is not limited to the federal level. While it's not an immediate solution for the pressing issue of clean water, voting for pro-environment candidates and policies is one of the best ways to ensure crucial environmental regulations are less likely to be rescinded. It also helps to stay connected through newsletters like TCD's and the Vital Signs newsletter from the Environmental Defense Fund. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
