Tuesday, August 19, 2025 - After tests showed that forever chemicals were in the tap water at several veterinary facilities near airports in the U.S., they are now being looked at for possible PFAS exposure in animals. These results make us worry about how per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) affect not only people, but also animals that are treated at clinics that use the local public water supply. PFAS, which has been used in firefighting foam at airports for a long time, is thought to have leaked into the groundwater around it and moved via water distribution systems that now supply companies and towns nearby, including veterinary clinics. People know that these chemicals stay in the environment and the body for a long time, and they are also linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and immune system problems.
Lawyers think that PFAS cancer lawyer s may soon start taking cases involving animals or veterinary professionals who are often exposed to these chemicals. Most PFAS drinking water lawsuits have been about the risks to human health, but this case includes both pets and working animals as well. Clinics need water to clean wounds, sanitize tools, mix medicines, and keep animals hydrated while they heal following surgery. If the water is dirty, it could have serious and long-lasting effects on health. In more serious circumstances, where animals are often exposed to the problem, pet owners or veterinarians may even have grounds to take legal action. PFAS is widely used in firefighting foam at airports, especially before new rules curtailed its use. This has already been linked to contamination at hundreds of locations in the U.S. The fact that things are becoming worse at veterinary clinics just adds to the public health concern.
A recent report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that PFAS has been found in water samples obtained from communities within one mile of airport limits. This is especially true in places where aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) was used for fire training or emergencies. Even though federal guidelines are starting to catch up with the evidence, many states still don't have rules that everyone has to follow about PFAS levels in public water systems. That means clinics and people in the area have to rely on voluntary testing or investigations pushed by advocates. Some vets are starting to use bottled or filtered water for medical operations, but this isn't always possible, especially for smaller offices with tight resources. Animals aren't the only ones at risk. Clinic staff are also at risk of repeated low-dose exposure through skin contact and breathing. There aren't as many health studies on animals, but more and more lab models are indicating that PFAS can hurt the liver, thyroid, and reproductive systems of mammals. Veterinary staff are also asking water companies to communicate better, test more, and give businesses and medical facilities near known contamination locations money to buy emergency filters.
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