PFAS

Young Black families settled in what is now Whitted in 1886, and their descendants and neighbors there still rely on well water. Now, they know the wells have enough PFAS to trigger health concerns. But change is slow.

Scientists are researching toxins, including what are known as PFAS, in the bay and could create warnings based on what they find.

So far, water utility reports reveal 89.3 million people have been exposed to PFAS nationwide, although a peer-reviewed article from 2020 estimates that number to be around 200 million.

The Miami area has had the highest documented levels of PFAS chemicals in Florida drinking water. Although the Tampa region is much lower, utilities will likely need to take action.

PFAS chemicals have been used for decades to waterproof and stain-proof consumer products and are linked to health problems.

Clean water is essential to daily life, yet it's easy to take it for granted. Here are some ways to check your water quality.

Once completed, the Suspended Ion Exchange plant in Tampa is expected to be the first in the U.S. and largest in the world.

At least 17 states have issued PFAS-related fish consumption advisories, KFF Health News found. But with no federal guidance, what is considered safe to eat varies significantly among states, most of which provide no regulation.

New research finds that private wells near more than 82% of select military sites were contaminated with PFAS chemicals. The study listed six in Florida below the threshold the Pentagon uses to trigger remediation.

PFAS chemicals are found in hundreds of products and weapons used by the U.S. military. Defense Department officials say a blanket ban on these man-made substances would threaten military readiness.