PFOA and PFOS are man-made chemicals that are used in making many consumer products, including non-stick cookware and stain resistant carpets. Early investigations show that the toxic chemicals may have spread from nearby manufacturing plants and contaminated the public drinking water supply.
PFOA and PFOS have been linked to various diseases and cancers, including testicular cancer, kidney cancer, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, pregnancy-induced hypertension, developmental effects for fetuses, liver tissue damage, and endocrine and immune system impairments.