(Des Moines, IA) -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is releasing results of PHAS testing at 116 public water supplies, from October 2021 to December 2022.

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemicals used in thousands of water-resistant, stain-resistant, and heat-resistant products such as carpets, clothing, fire-fighting foams, non-stick pans, and food packaging. Ingestion of these chemicals may increase cancer risk, affect the ability to become pregnant and interfere with pancreatic, thyroid and liver function.

The 116 drinking water supplies tested represent approximately 46% of Iowa’s population. Additional testing will be conducted in the coming years, by both the DNR and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The DNR's report was written prior to EPA’s recent announcement of proposed drinking water standards for PFAS chemicals. Once standards become effective, possibly by the end of 2023, water supplies that exceed the standards in finished water will be required to develop and execute treatment plans. In the meantime, many communities have already adjusted their operations to reduce or remove PFAS.

Cities with higher concentrations of PHAS in the water include: Burlington, a Belleview mobile home park, Central City, Dubuque, Sioux City, and Tama. The DNR says in cities where PFAS levels are higher, cities and residents can take action to limit exposure.

Corey McCoid of the DNR says states with a heavy industrial and/or those with military bases tend to have greater issues with forever chemicals.

The complete summary and results can be found at iowa dnr.gov.

Mel in the Morning