Fall is usually about cleaning gutters and testing smoke detectors. This year, you'll want to look a little deeper. New research into "forever chemicals" is shining a harsh light on local tap water, and a quiet overhaul in kitchen appliances is changing how we keep our food cold.
The water problem in plain sight
We've heard about PFAS for years. These human-made compounds refuse to break down in the environment, and manufacturers have used them in carpets and cosmetics since the 1940s. Now, the problem is hitting closer to home.
A massive study of adults and children living near military bases just linked these chemicals to elevated cholesterol and increased blood pressure, Inquirer.com reports. Researchers even found that children with higher exposure levels had fewer antibodies to fight off infections. Early childhood exposure also showed patterns of lower abilities in language and reasoning.
What's happening in your state
In Pennsylvania, mapping showed geographical clusters of kidney, thyroid, breast, and other cancers in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. The state ranked second highest nationally among the study sites for specific PFAS compounds.
Historical firefighting foam use at local military bases is the main culprit.
Meanwhile, Michigan just declared its first-ever PFAS Awareness Week to wake residents up to the risks, according to the State of Michigan. The biggest blind spot there is the sheer volume of homes sitting off the municipal grid. If you rely on a private drinking water well, nobody is coming to check your water quality. Testing is entirely your responsibility. Senator Gary Peters recently secured billions in federal funding for remediation efforts, but the rollout is slow. In fact, the Department of Defense just postponed cleanup at several sites.
A cooler, safer kitchen
The government is also funding efforts to completely redesign how we refrigerate food. The Department of Energy is backing a multi-million dollar project to build residential refrigerators that ditch high-global-warming-potential refrigerants. Instead, they use magnetocaloric technology. It's fluorocarbon-free and promises major energy savings over conventional systems. Soon, the boxes humming in our kitchens will be cheaper to run and much safer for the environment.
The bottom line
- If you get your water from a private well, especially near a military base or industrial site, don't wait for a local mandate to test your supply. Learn how to spot and manage these risks in our guide to environmental hazards.
- Upgrading your kitchen soon? Keep an eye out for newer, chemical-free cooling technologies hitting the market. Read up on what to look for in our appliances guide before you buy.
- For readers in the Great Lakes State, take advantage of current awareness campaigns. Get your property in order for the season using our Michigan fall checklist.