Forever Chemicals are Everywhere – Even in Our Pets
Birth Defects
Look out, Fido. There’s a new worry with the spread of toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS that have contaminated our water systems and the environment and have been widely found in humans: our pets.
Animals living near a PFAS manufacturing plant in Fayetteville, North Carolina, have concerning levels of the toxic chemicals in their blood, a study has found.
PFAS were present in all 32 dog blood samples and 31 horse blood samples that were analyzed, providing even more evidence that exposure to PFAS impacts the bodies of humans and animals alike, Scott Belcher, a North Carolina State University researcher and co-author of the study, told The Guardian.
“It is just consistent with what we’ve seen over and over again, and it makes the case clear that these are toxic compounds,” Belcher said.
PFAS are perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances called “forever chemicals” because they build up in humans and do not break down in the environment. PFAS have been linked to cancer, reproductive and immune system harm and other diseases.
PFAS chemicals are widely used to make products resistant to oil, heat, stain and water. They are found in everything from cosmetics to outdoor gear and non-stick pans. They also are used to coat paper and cardboard wrappers for fast food and bakery goods. They are found in stain-resistant furniture and carpets treated with stain- and water-repellent chemicals. The armed services, cities and other governmental entities have used firefighting foams containing PFAS — known as Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) — at least since the 1970s.
Residents near the Fayetteville Works plant in North Carolina owned by Chemours said they believe exposure is behind elevated cancer levels in the area and other serious health problems. They also suspect that their pets have been exposed to the toxic chemicals and have gotten sick.
Among them is Adrian Stokes, who told the Guardian that his cats and dogs seemed to suffer from similar ailments. He said that one cat repeatedly fell face-first into her food and another wobbled while it walked, which a vet attributed to unexplained kidney and neurological disorders. Two of his dogs had to drag themselves after losing use of their back legs, and Stokes had to have them euthanized.
A few miles away, Fayetteville resident Mike Watters’ three huskies died of pancreatic cancer, while area livestock owners have said they cannot find any other explanation as to why their horses have developed similar respiratory issues, and cattle were born deformed.
The study was organized by concerned residents and focused on dogs and horses on properties with well water contaminated with high enough levels of PFAS that Chemours has had to provide bottled water to those living in the area.
Analysis of the animals’ blood revealed biomarkers suggesting kidney and liver impacts, Belcher said.
“The associations are all coming up the same,” Belcher said.
The study also found differences regarding whether the animals primarily lived inside or outdoors and whether they drank bottled or well water.
“Pets mean so much to people,” he said. “The emotional impact that this contamination is having on the community is so much more massive than what I have appreciated.”
How We Help Victims of Toxic Exposure
The attorneys of our birth defects victims’ alliance understand the pain that families face when coping with life-altering birth defects—and the frustration of knowing they could have been prevented. Our team has over 40 years of combined experience in birth defects litigation in cases involving semiconductor and electronics manufacturing, pesticides, and energy production. We have the resources and experience to fight on behalf of our clients against corporations who put them in danger. Call us to see how we can help you and your family receive justice for birth defects.