PFAs are known as “forever chemicals” because they take so long to break down. They are used in the production of such products as non-stick pans and waterproof jackets. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure to excessive levels of PFAs can cause cancer, liver damage, decreased fertility and asthma. The 2019 movie “Dark Waters” was about contamination from one of those chemicals.
In 2020, the group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility warned about PFA levels in Delray Beach’s water. Mayor Shelly Petrolia and City Commissioner Juli Casale pushed back, accusing the group of exaggerating the danger.
