Protecting Workers and Residents of Puerto Rico from Exposure Risks to Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

Several years ago, researchers from Harvard University reported that more than 16 million Americans were exposed to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their drinking water. Most of the contamination issues are believed to be due to pollution from industrial and military sites.

The researchers examined test data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from 4,864 public water sources. Test results identified some level of contamination in 33 states and in Puerto Rico. Regarding PFAS exposure, the EPA reports, “For decades, they have been used in hundreds of industrial applications and consumer products such as carpeting, apparels, upholstery, food paper wrappings, fire-fighting foams, and metal plating. PFAS have been found at very low levels both in the environment and in the blood samples of the general U.S. population. These chemicals are persistent, and resist degradation in the environment. They also bioaccumulate, meaning their concentration increases over time in the blood and organs. At high concentrations, certain PFAS have been linked to adverse health effects in laboratory animals that may reflect associations between exposure to these chemicals and some health problems such as low birth weight, delayed puberty onset, elevated cholesterol levels, and reduced immunologic responses to vaccination.”

“Since back in the 1950s, PFAS have been used quite widely,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “While some PFAS are no longer made due to environmental and health concerns, others are still used in a range of products. The EPA states that there is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to potential adverse human health effects. Exposure can occur by consuming contaminated water, food and even breathing air in facilities that manufacture goods made with these chemicals.”

Working to identify PFAS and other potentially hazardous substances from environmental and industrial hygiene samples in Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean are the professionals at Zimmetry Environmental. They offer testing and consulting services to safeguard the health and safety of workers, the general public and help to keep companies in regulatory compliance.
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their environmental quality, industrial hygiene, compliance and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies.  The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America.  The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.
 

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail