In a  shocking new research from the Keck School of Medicine of USC has uncovered that communities that drink water contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also called forever chemicals may have a 33% higher risk of developing certain cancers. This shocking finding shows how important it is to take action, particularly in developing countries where water pollution is often ignored. 

PFAS are man-made chemicals found in many everyday items. You can see them in things like food packaging, non-stick pans, and even firefighting foams. These chemicals are tough to break down, which means they can build up in our water, the environment, and even in our bodies as time goes on.

In the United States, almost 45% of drinking water supplies have PFAS, but things are even more troubling in developing countries. Lots of countries don't have the rules and systems in place to check and manage PFAS pollution, which puts millions of people in danger. 

A recent study looked at a lot of population data and discovered that drinking water contaminated with PFAS can greatly raise the chances of getting digestive, endocrine, respiratory, and oral cancers. In certain areas, men faced higher chances of getting leukaemia and bladder cancer. Meanwhile, women were more likely to develop thyroid and soft tissue cancers. 

Scientists believe that PFAS are linked to more than 6,800 cancer cases each year in the United States. In many developing countries, getting clean water is already tough. If things don't change, the problem could get much worse. If we don't take action, these chemicals will keep hurting those who are most at risk, making health problems even worse for them. 

In the U.S., government agencies are starting to address the problem of PFAS contamination. However, developing countries encounter many obstacles that make it much harder for them to deal with this serious issue. One big challenge we face is that many people don’t know about PFAS. Lots of communities are unaware that these harmful chemicals can be in their water, and they don’t realise the serious health problems that can result from being exposed to them for a long time. One big problem is that many low-income countries have weak rules about the environment. Often outdated or poorly enforced, these laws allow PFAS pollution to persist unchecked.

Even with tougher rules in place, there’s still a big problem: not enough testing facilities are available. Without sufficient infrastructure to detect and monitor PFAS contamination, governments struggle to accurately assess the extent of the issue and determine the appropriate course of action. Furthermore, the lack of clean water options forces people to resort to using dirty water sources. This situation makes them more vulnerable to health problems.

With these problems at hand, the global community needs to act quickly to stop more health issues from happening. It's important for authorities to focus on controlling PFAS levels in our drinking water. Authorities should establish more stringent guidelines and ensure adherence to these regulations. 

At the same time, putting money into better water testing facilities will help countries keep a closer eye on water quality and take action when needed. Public awareness campaigns play a crucial role in helping communities understand the risks of PFAS. 

By spreading the word, we can encourage people to push for better policies that protect everyone. But, because of money and technology issues, developing countries can't handle this crisis by themselves. Support and funding from developed countries and global health organisations are really important for getting us the resources we need to tackle PFAS contamination effectively.

By tackling these linked problems together, developing countries can make real progress in reducing the PFAS crisis and keeping people healthy.

The PFAS crisis affects many places around the world, not just one country or area. These chemicals move through the air, water, and food, creating a serious danger for everyone around the world. Developing countries really need to take action, but they can't do it by themselves. Working together across countries is important to make sure everyone has access to clean and safe drinking water.

New discoveries from the Keck School of Medicine are raising some important alarms. If we don't take action, PFAS contamination will keep putting people's health at risk all over the world, especially in developing countries where the impact is even greater. It's crucial for governments, researchers, and activists to come together right now and remove these harmful chemicals from our water supplies before we run out of time.