Rising concern over PFAS contamination in Oklahoma's water supply, DEQ investigates
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — As more Oklahoma towns have water quality issues, we're learning about how per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) may be to blame. Fox 25 spoke with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
Water Quality Division Director Shellie Chard with the DEQ says there are thousands of PFAS chemicals. Experts are still researching what impacts this may have, but early results aren't encouraging.
"It's ubiquitous," Chard said. "It's everywhere."
Chard tells Fox 25 that PFAS compounds are used in things like firefighting, clothing and makeup.
"We know we're seeing it much more than we have before, but we're certainly looking for it much more than we ever have before."
It can also be found in our water supply.
"These compounds we're monitoring in the four parts per trillion range. So it's very small amounts."
But even a small amount could cause health problems.
"You could have impacts to increased cancer risk. You could have impacts to reproduction."
It can also reduce the effectiveness of some vaccines, but Chard says people can still do their part to stay safe.
"Making smart choices, and looking at ingredients to determine if there are any of these PFAS compounds in the materials that we're buying every day."
As an agency, the DEQ participates in a federal drinking water monitoring process called the "unregulated contaminant monitoring rule five," which examines nearly 30 PFAS compounds.
"Most of Oklahoma's drinking water systems are participating in that. I can tell you we've only had two systems so far that have showed above detection levels, and they're in northeastern Oklahoma."
According to Chard, the cities of Nowata and Broken Arrow have just a smidge more PFAS compounds in their water.
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