Much of Cobb County’s drinking water is safe from harmful levels of “forever chemicals,” according to the general manager of the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority.
In a recent update to Cobb lawmakers, Cole Blackwell told legislators not to fear when reading headlines about the long-lasting, synthetic compounds that are being found in water supplies: per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly known as PFAS.
“I’d like to reassure you that our testing has found that (PFAS levels) are well below maximum containment levels as prescribed by the United States EPA (Environmental Protection Agency),” he said.
According to the EPA, PFAS are popular, long-lasting chemicals that don’t easily break down in the environment. PFAS have been found in the blood of people and animals all over the world, as well as in water and soil supplies.
Blackwell said they exist in lipstick, non-stick cookware, Styrofoam cups, pizza boxes and more.
“You name it, it’s there, and it’s very toxic,” he said.