A personal experience from a woman that shares first hand how she suffered from Forever Chemicals and the impact it had on her life!
Today, I want to share a story that hits close to home for many of us who are worried about the lurking dangers of "forever chemicals." My name is Annette Hicks, and I'm here to take you on a personal journey—a journey that began with a breast cancer diagnosis and led to a passionate fight against the ominous threat of forever chemicals in our lives.
The Shocking Revelation
Picture this: being told you have breast cancer. It's a diagnosis that shakes your world and sends chills down your spine. What made it even more bewildering for me was the realization that my cancer wasn't hereditary. In fact, I've since learned that a whopping 90 percent of breast cancer cases aren't genetic. So, what could have caused it?
A Rude Awakening
After my breast cancer diagnosis in 2010, I embarked on a quest for answers. Little did I know that this journey would unveil a startling truth. It turns out that my breast cancer might be connected to environmental toxins and pollutants. But here's the kicker: these toxins had infiltrated our drinking water, flowing right from our taps into our homes. And here's the shocker—it's very likely that the same danger lurks in your drinking water too.
Hidden Threat in Our Water
It was only after my battle with breast cancer that I stumbled upon the truth: our community in New York, was grappling with a silent and sinister enemy—PFAS, also known as forever chemicals. These pollutants have been linked to a laundry list of health problems, from mammary gland changes to hormone disruption, thyroid disease, and even autoimmune suppression. And guess what? I personally suffer from several of these health issues.
The Connection to Breast Cancer
What's even more alarming is the potential link between PFAS and breast cancer. Studies have suggested that exposure to PFOA and PFOS, two common types of PFAS, can enhance the growth and proliferation of breast cancer cells. Scientists also fear that these chemicals, by altering mammary gland development, could increase the risk of breast cancer later in life. And let's not forget that PFAS have already been linked to other types of cancer.
A Citizen's Quest for Answers
In 2014, a local hero whose father succumbed to kidney cancer decided to take matters into his own hands. He tested our local water supply, footing the bill himself, as local officials refused to take action. The results were nothing short of shocking—our drinking water was saturated with this toxic cocktail, and we had been unknowingly consuming it for years. The truth was finally out there, but it wasn't until the EPA intervened and issued a "do not drink" order in December 2015 that we were urged to stop using our contaminated water.
Diving into Research Mode
Armed with this knowledge, I dove headfirst into research, spending the last four years absorbing everything I could find on PFAS. What I discovered sent shivers down my spine. PFAS are present in an array of everyday products, and PFAS contamination is a widespread issue, affecting the drinking water of millions across every state in our nation. It's a crisis of epic proportions, but here's the kicker—despite having over 15 years' worth of data, the EPA has yet to set any regulations for PFAS limits. The only guidance they've provided is a lifetime limit of 70 ppt (parts per trillion), although some states have set much stricter limits.
The Ongoing Mystery
What's even more perplexing is that there are nearly 5,000 variations of PFAS, yet my state has tested us for only six of them. No one can definitively tell us how these chemicals, especially when combined, are affecting our health. While ongoing research suggests that all studied PFAS share toxic effects, they remain shockingly unregulated. This issue isn't going away anytime soon—it's an ongoing battle.
A National Crisis Unfolds
If you haven't heard about the PFAS public health crisis, don't be surprised if it's already lurking in your state. For a jaw-dropping history of PFAS, follow investigative journalist Sharon Lerner's series on The Intercept, where she uncovers the deception surrounding these chemicals by companies like 3M and DuPont.
Join the Fight
Can I say for certain that these toxins caused my breast cancer? No more than someone can claim that smoking definitely caused their lung cancer. However, just like the link between cigarettes and lung cancer, I believe the evidence is compelling, especially with the growing number of studies being published.
That's why I've been tirelessly fighting for clean drinking water and clean air, both on state and federal levels. Who would have thought that such a battle would be necessary? After all, this is our air, and this is our drinking water. I'm not alone in this fight—ordinary citizens from contaminated communities have joined forces. Our advocacy is growing stronger by the day.
Take Action
So, dear reader, I implore you to join us in pushing back against PFAS. Educate yourself about the harms of these forever chemicals. Read whats in the products you consume, especially those that you use on your skin like personal care products and join me in calling on 3M's and the large cosmetic companies executives to cease producing and selling PFAS.
As someone who has faced high levels of PFOA exposure and experienced the devastation of breast cancer, I'm outraged that 3M continues to use known cancer-causing toxins in their consumer products.
My journey is a testament to the urgent need to address the PFAS contamination crisis. If you're concerned about forever chemicals infiltrating our lives, you're not alone. Together, we can raise our voices, demand change, and work towards a safer, cleaner tomorrow for all of us. Let's join forces and make a difference! You have also choice as consumer in this fight. Educate yourself and only purchase goods that give you an overview of whats in it and be transparent about what the ingredients do and their purpose!
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