KEY TAKEAWAYS: EPA data shows 172 million Americans exposed to PFAS in drinking water Multiple Louisiana communities, including New Orleans, Monroe, and Shreveport, tested positive PFAS linked to reproductive, developmental, immune, and cancer risks Federal and local monitoring efforts aim to ensure safer water supplies   The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released findings from its most recent round of public water system testing for PFAS, also referred to as ‘forever chemicals.’ The EPA has developed a national testing strategy that requires PFAS manufacturers to provide toxicity data and information on categories of PFAS chemicals, while also integrating national and regional data from voluntary testing initiatives. Data collected and analyzed by the EPA indicates that 172 million people in communities across the U.S. have drinking water positive for PFAS, according to Environmental Working Group. What are forever chemicals? What to know about PFAS PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) belong to a group of chemicals engineered to repel liquids and heat, making them nearly indestructible. These chemicals can build up in nature and in human bodies, increasing the risk of certain cancers and other health problems. What places in Louisiana have forever chemicals in drinking water? Here are the places in Louisiana and drinking water systems that recently tested positive for PFAS, with at least one chemical detected at one location: New Roads: Pointe Coupee Water Works District 1 Plaquemine: Intracoastal Water System West Plaquemine: City of Plaquemine Water System Parks: Village of Parks Water System Donaldsonville: Parish Utilities of Ascension Jeanerette: City of Jeanerette Water System Abbeville: City of Abbeville Water System Napoleonville: Assumption Parish WW District 1 Convent: St. James Water District 2 Lutcher: Lutcher Waterworks Grammercy: Grammercy Waterworks Patterson: Patterson Water System Berwick: Town of Berwick Patterson: St. Mary Parish WS #2 Bayou Vista Franklin: Franklin Water Supply Charenton: Water Sewer Commission 4 of St. Mary Centerville: St. Mary Water Sewer Comm #3 Laplace: St. John Water District 2 Vidalia: City of Vidalia Water System Houma: Schriever Water Treatment Service Area Kinder: Southwest Allen WW District No 2 Luling: St. Charles Parish Dept of Waterworks Covington: St. Tam Parish- Cross Gates SD Houma: Houma Water Treatment Service Area Jefferson: E Jefferson WW District 1 Lockport: Lafourche Water District 1 New Orleans: New Orleans Algiers Water Works New Orleans: New Orleans Carrollton Water Works Jefferson: W Jefferson WW District 2 Gretna: Gretna Waterworks Belle Chasse: Belle Chasse Water District Joseph: Tensas Water District Association Natchitoches: Natchitoches Water System Belle Chasse: Port Sulphur Water District Rayville: Rayville Water System Many: South Toledo Bend Water District Monroe: Monroe Water System Monroe: Town Country Service Farmerville: Farmerville Water System Mansfield: Mansfield Water System Mansfield: DeSoto Parish Water Works District 1 Benton: Village Water System Shreveport: Shreveport Water System Shreveport: Pinehill Waterworks District Greenwood: Town of Greenwood Water System Benton: Town of Benton Water System What affects do forever chemicals have on health? How PFAS in water could impact residents Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) are two of the most widely used and studies chemicals in the PFAS group. The biggest concern regarding PFAS is that many break down very slowly and can build up in people, animals and the environment, says the EPA. Surveys by the CDC indicate that most people in the U.S. have been exposed to PFAS, though the degree of exposure varies. Exposure to certain PFAS may lead to adverse health outcomes and a variety of health effects. Scientific studies have revealed that exposure to certain levels of PFAS, according to the EPA, may lead to: Reproductive effects such as decreased fertility or increased high blood pressure in pregnant women. Developmental effects or delays in children, including low birth weight, accelerated puberty, bone variations, or behavioral changes. Increased risk of some cancers, including prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers. Reduced ability of the body’s immune system to fight infections, including reduced vaccine response. Interference with the body’s natural hormones. Increased cholesterol levels and/or risk of obesity. Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at [email protected] This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: What are forever chemicals? These 46 Louisiana water systems have PFAS Reporting by Presley Bo Tyler, Shreveport Times / Shreveport Times USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect ...read more read less