Viewpoint: ‘Chemical alarmism’ — Scientist builds case that banning ‘forever chemicals’ PFOS and PFOAs could cause more harm than good

PFOA and PFOS were used early on to solve a problem in protecting human life. The problem? In 1967, a fire occurred aboard the USS Forrestal during combat operations. Firefighting foams used on the U.S. ships at the time were made from proteins and were ineffective. As a result, 134 sailors died and 161 were injured. PFOA/PFOS was later put into the foam with remarkably protective results.

Yes, PFOA/PFOS foams are very good at putting out fires and have been used extensively in the past. Unfortunately, at present, there is no alternative to fluorinated firefighting foams that maintains the superior performance characteristics as the current versions.

…

Related on the SLP

Viewpoint: Here’s the wacky formula used by Environmental Working Group to stoke unwarranted fears about safe chemicals Viewpoint: PFAS—Fluoropolymer panic shows how the activist-tort lawyer-media complex threatens a lifesaving medical technology

Viewpoint: Dubious environmental fears: Why the AI buildout is critical to America’s ecological future

Vitamin D, omega-3 fish oil and glucosamine supplements could cause brain damage 

Child-monitoring apps: When the cure is worse than the harm—and how the technology could be tweaked

In Maine, organic farmers are being sued for levels of PFOA and related chemicals in their soils. Underwear manufacturers are being sued for PFOA and related chemicals in their products. The number of lawsuits is voluminous and in many areas. Where will this all end? I’m afraid it’s not going to because we have such widespread, low-level contamination. The question we need to consider before spending billions of dollars on litigation is whether this low-level contamination is a health risk, and for this we need to get the correct safe dose, as mentioned above.

This is an excerpt., Read the original post here