Hi I'm a chemist, my current work is with PFAS compounds, often known as forever chemicals. Please ask me about those, or anything else you are curious about related to chemistry. I will try to give you a solid response.

  • captcha [any]
    ·
    2 years ago
    • Is there any actual known dangers of PFAS in your system other than it never leaves your system?
    • Is PFAS hsed in foams that US firefighters sometimes use? If so:
      • how often is it used?
      • what concentrations would it be?
    • If there is a water supply contaminated with PFAS, how bad would that be for people having to drink from it and the general environment?
    • aFuckingChemist [comrade/them]
      ·
      2 years ago

      Yes, they don't degrade so can clog micro fluid pathways, leading to all sorts of here-to-unknown effects. The recorded effects tend to be related to endocrine, liver, and reproductive systems. Unfortunately, the science is only just starting to really get a handle on the specifics in the broader body.

      Yes, but I don't know the specifics. It seems to be not overly common, i.e. for specific types of fires, and in very high concentrations.

      Pretty much everything is contaminated with PFAS, it's a question of how much. High concentrations are detrimental to people's health, but the wider environmental effects aren't well known.