Toxic 'forever' chemicals found in Mass. bottled water company's products

Massachusetts health officials say water bottled by an Easton company exceeds the allowable levels of PFAS chemicals, also called "forever chemicals" because they of how long they persist in the environment and the human body.

The Department of Public Health said on Wednesday that the contaminated water was found in products from the Simpson Spring Company. People should not consume the water; instead, the agency said to pour it down the drain and stop buying from the company until further notice, according to a department press release.

Simpson Spring Company, for its part, voluntarily stopped bottling operations and disconnected its vending machines on March 1, following the Feb. 21 testing done by the state's Food Protection Program, according to the release.

Polyfluoroalkyl and peryfluoroalkyl substances, collectively known as PFAS, are chemical pollutants that were used in industrial uses for decades. They repel water and oils, and were used broadly to waterproofing and stain-proofing products, among other uses. Because they were used so widely for so long, experts say it's impossible to avoid PFAS altogether, though you can take some steps to reduce exposure.

The chemicals have been associated with a number of health risks, including cancer. And cleaning up PFAS from water and ground sources costs millions, a cost sometimes borne by manufacturers but often the bill is left for state and municipal governments.