The Chestnut Hill Local article, “Pa. issues ‘do not eat’ advisory, cancels Wissahickon trout stocking” (Oct. 15), highlights a disturbing reality: Pennsylvania’s waterways are becoming too contaminated to safely eat their fish. This should be a wake-up call for our lawmakers.

Known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS chemicals persist in our environment indefinitely, contaminate waterways, and move up the food chain. PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center’s research found PFAS in 95.5% of the Pennsylvania waterways tested, including the Delaware River watershed, which supplies water to 14 million Americans.

At least 45% of America’s tap water contains PFAS, and nearly all Americans have PFAS in their blood because of contaminated food and water. Even in small amounts over time, PFAS exposure can cause cancer, thyroid disruption, immune suppression, reproductive issues and neurological impairment. They threaten not only our wildlife but also our health. I rely on a reverse-osmosis filter at home, but individual filtration should not be our primary defense.

Fortunately, Gov. Shapiro just signed a ban on PFAS in firefighting foam into law with broad bipartisan support. PFAS in firefighting foam seeps into the soil, leaches into groundwater, and runs off into nearby waterways. Phasing it out is a huge step towards protecting our communities.

But this victory should be a starting point, not the finish line. I urge lawmakers to prohibit PFAS in consumer products, industrial discharges into waterways, and the use of PFAS-contaminated sewage sludge as farm fertilizer. The best solution is to stop PFAS pollution at its source, not to rely on costly filtration and cleanup, which isn’t always an option.

Meaningful progress is possible when lawmakers work together. Let’s celebrate this victory and build on its momentum to ensure that every Pennsylvanian has access to clean water and food.

Moed Gerveni

Philadelphia