Latest news with #PFAS
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Toxic ‘forever chemicals' have infiltrated Antarctic waters: Study
The frigid waters that surround Antarctica may be inhospitable to human inhabitance, but they are churning with the manmade relics of toxic chemical production, a new study has found. Certain types of 'forever chemicals' are present in ocean areas west of the Antarctic Peninsula at levels comparable to those in the North Atlantic, according to the study, published in Communications Earth & Environment. These findings, the study authors stated, underscore the importance of considering persistence when weighing environmental risk, while shedding light 'on the impact of the larger pool of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances,' also known as PFAS. There are about 15,000 types of these so-called 'forever chemicals,' many of which are linked to cancers and other serious illnesses. Known for their ability to linger in the environment, PFAS are found in certain firefighting foams and in a variety of household products, such as waterproof apparel, nonstick pans and cosmetics. Although previous studies have suggested only a limited presence of PFAS in the Southern Ocean, the authors — from Spain's Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research and the University of Barcelona — were able to challenge this assumption. The prevailing notion, they explained, reasoned that the 'circumpolar current' that flows clockwise around the Antarctic prevented the transport of PFAS southwards. Yet at the same time, the researchers recognized that oceans have become 'a major reservoir' of a PFAS subgroup called perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) — and that certain precursors of PFAAs had been identified in the Southern Ocean's atmosphere. 'PFAAs are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical oceans and are extremely persistent in the environment,' the authors stated. Among the two most notorious types of PFAAs around the world are PFOA and PFOS — carcinogens that have largely been phased out of production but that remain in soil and water resources due to their longevity. To determine whether these persistent — and often toxic — types of PFAS had in fact infiltrated the Southern Ocean, the scientists conducted on-site water sampling in the area, accompanied by analytical procedures. In doing so, they identified PFAA concentrations in seawater at Antarctic latitudes of 71 degrees south comparable with those of 37 degrees north — in regions with known PFAS sources across Europe, the Mediterranean, Central Asia and the United States. Given the circumpolar current's likely role as 'a barrier for the north-south transport of PFAAs by oceanic currents,' the researchers focused on a possible mechanism called 'wet deposition,' when aerosolized pollutants fall from the atmosphere with rain or snow. The scientists ultimately determined that PFAA compounds are transported via ocean currents from the southern subtropical Atlantic to the sub-Antarctic — the zone immediately north of the Antarctic region. From there, what likely occurs is a phenomenon known as 'sea-spray mediated grasshopping,' in which PFAA-laden sea spray forms in the atmosphere and then deposits in the Southern Ocean, per the study. The Southern Ocean, the authors explained, is known for its high wind speeds, and the region in general endures 'incursions' of wet air masses from the north. Once the compounds have made it into the Antarctic region and have crossed a maritime barrier called 'the Antarctic divergence,' they are generally there to stay, the study found. This polar PFAS pileup, the authors warned, raises concerns about potential risks posed to the Antarctic ecosystem. They therefore stressed a need for further research into the prevalence of such 'persistent contaminants of emerging concern' across the region. 'This unexpected accumulation evidences the global risk posed by persistent chemicals,' the authors added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
DW
7 hours ago
- Health
- DW
Who is responsible for PFAS contamination? – DW – 07/15/2025
Hazardous "forever chemicals" contaminate drinking water, soil and food worldwide. Who is responsible for their contamination? The sleepy small town of Trissino lies at the foot of the Italian Alps, surrounded by lush fields, green hills and small industrial plants on its outskirts. Though there is nothing to suggest that gigantic quantities of drinking water and large parts of the soil in the entire region have been contaminated with extremely toxic chemicalsfrom a local chemical facility, that is what a court in Rome recently a case that opened in 2021, 11 defendants were sentenced to years in prison. They had worked for the Japanese Mitsubishi Group and Chemical Investors from Luxembourg, among others. According to estimates by non-governmental organizations, the contamination could affect around 350,000 people in the northern Italian region of Veneto. Perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds, PFAS for short, are extremely persistent chemicals that cannot be broken down. Once they enter the environment, they remain there "forever." Scientists have established a link between PFAS and liver and kidney damage, increased cholesterol levels, diseases of the lymph nodes and reduced fertility in men and women. According to the German Federal Environment Agency, it also leads to low birth weights in babies, can reduce the effectiveness of vaccinations and cause cancer in high concentrations. The chemicals are considered a global problem and can be detected almost everywhere. In 2018, scientists at Harvard University found that 98% of US citizens have PFAS in their blood. Studies on breast milk in countries such as India, Indonesia and the Philippines detected the substances in almost all samples. In Germany, too, every child has forever chemicals in their bodies. A fifth of them exceed critical levels. PFAS were discovered in 1938 by the American chemical giant DuPont. Due to their special properties of protecting metal from corrosion even at high temperatures, the chemicals were first used in the development of the atomic bomb. The substance later found its way into households worldwide under the brand name "Teflon" in the form of coated pans. This marked the beginning of the commercial rise of the chemicals, which proved to be useful for many products. With their unique resistance to heat, water and dirt, they are used in a wide range of consumer and industrial products. They can be found in everything from waterproof outdoor clothing, makeup and stain-resistant carpets to medical devices, semiconductors and wind turbines. The chemicals, which are mainly ingested through drinking water and food, accumulate in the body over time. In addition to breast milk and blood, they can also be detected in hair. In 1998, the non-stick coating of Teflon was clearly scratched when a hundred cows belonging to a cattle farmer suddenly died near a production facility in the US city of Parkersburg in West Virginia. It was later revealed that thousands of people in the region were contaminated by a leaking dump and wastewater from the DuPont factory that contained PFAS. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Documents show that DuPont, unlike government authorities, had known about the danger for decades but continued to discharge the substance into the environment. Studies suggest that high levels of PFOA (a specific PFAS substance) in the region are linked to cases of kidney and testicular cancer. In 2017, DuPont and the now-spun-off company Chemours agreed to pay $671 million (€574 million) in compensation to 3,550 people affected. PFAS are still being released into the environment. The US environmental organization EWG has calculated that almost 10,000 locations across America are contaminated with the substances. This is based on measurements by the US Environmental Protection Agency, among others. It is estimated that around 160 million people could be affected nationwide. In Europe, 23,000 sites are known to be contaminated with PFAS. According to the European Environment Agency, 2,300 of these are so heavily contaminated that they pose a health risk. In Alsace, France, the authorities are currently warning people not to drink tap water after checks revealed elevated levels of 20 forever chemicals. And in Dalton in the US state of Georgia, a lawsuit is currently being filed against a carpet manufacturer, Chemours and the chemical company 3M. Residents there also fear they have fallen ill due to PFAS contamination. Legally binding limits for six PFAS chemicals in drinking water were adopted for the first time under former US President Joe Biden. The subsequent Donald Trump administration has reversed four of them. In 2023, the 3M Group agreed to pay around $10 billion to local water suppliers to settle lawsuits over PFAS pollution and those that could arise. 3M is also being sued for contamination in the Netherlands, another country where it operates. The European Union recently passed legislation to reduce these substances' use. In the long term, the member states are seeking to completely abolish PFAS. Exceptions are to be made for products whose use of PFAS is "essential for society". This could include, for example, medical material such as stents for opening and closing blood vessels or artificial play this audio please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 audio
Boston Globe
8 hours ago
- Health
- Boston Globe
Lawmakers, protect us from PFAS
To protect our health and our water, we must stop PFAS at their sources by ending industrial discharges of PFAS into our waterways, eliminating PFAS from consumer goods and products, and providing more resources for testing and mitigation. A Advertisement Deirdre Cummings Legislative director MassPIRG Boston
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
What are 'forever chemicals' and why do they matter?
Representative AI image The sleepy small town of Trissino lies at the foot of the Italian Alps, surrounded by lush fields, green hills and small industrial plants on its outskirts. Though there is nothing to suggest that gigantic quantities of drinking water and large parts of the soil in the entire region have been contaminated with extremely toxic chemicals from a local chemical facility, that is what a court in Rome recently concluded. In a case that opened in 2021, 11 defendants were sentenced to years in prison. They had worked for the Japanese Mitsubishi Group and Chemical Investors from Luxembourg, among others. According to estimates by non-governmental organizations, the contamination could affect around 350,000 people in the northern Italian region of Veneto. What are forever chemicals ? Perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds, PFAS for short, are extremely persistent chemicals that cannot be broken down. Once they enter the environment, they remain there "forever." Scientists have established a link between PFAS and liver and kidney damage, increased cholesterol levels, diseases of the lymph nodes and reduced fertility in men and women. According to the German Federal Environment Agency, it also leads to low birth weights in babies, can reduce the effectiveness of vaccinations and cause cancer in high concentrations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo The chemicals are considered a global problem and can be detected almost everywhere. In 2018, scientists at Harvard University found that 98% of US citizens have PFAS in their blood. Studies on breast milk in countries such as India, Indonesia and the Philippines detected the substances in almost all samples. In Germany, too, every child has forever chemicals in their bodies. A fifth of them exceed critical levels. From the atom bomb to the plate PFAS were discovered in 1938 by the American chemical giant DuPont. Due to their special properties of protecting metal from corrosion even at high temperatures, the chemicals were first used in the development of the atomic substance later found its way into households worldwide under the brand name "Teflon" in the form of coated pans. This marked the beginning of the commercial rise of the chemicals, which proved to be useful for many products. With their unique resistance to heat, water and dirt, they are used in a wide range of consumer and industrial products. They can be found in everything from waterproof outdoor clothing, makeup and stain-resistant carpets to medical devices, semiconductors and wind turbines. The chemicals, which are mainly ingested through drinking water and food, accumulate in the body over time. In addition to breast milk and blood, they can also be detected in hair. Decades of concealing the danger In 1998, the non-stick coating of Teflon was clearly scratched when a hundred cows belonging to a cattle farmer suddenly died near a production facility in the US city of Parkersburg in West Virginia. It was later revealed that thousands of people in the region were contaminated by a leaking dump and wastewater from the DuPont factory that contained show that DuPont, unlike government authorities, had known about the danger for decades but continued to discharge the substance into the environment. Studies suggest that high levels of PFOA (a specific PFAS substance) in the region are linked to cases of kidney and testicular cancer. In 2017, DuPont and the now-spun-off company Chemours agreed to pay $671 million (€574 million) in compensation to 3,550 people affected. Europe plans a phase-out PFAS are still being released into the environment. The US environmental organization EWG has calculated that almost 10,000 locations across America are contaminated with the substances. This is based on measurements by the US Environmental Protection Agency, among others. It is estimated that around 160 million people could be affected nationwide. In Europe, 23,000 sites are known to be contaminated with PFAS. According to the European Environment Agency, 2,300 of these are so heavily contaminated that they pose a health risk. In Alsace, France, the authorities are currently warning people not to drink tap water after checks revealed elevated levels of 20 forever chemicals.
The Hill
20 hours ago
- Science
- The Hill
Toxic ‘forever chemicals' have infiltrated Antarctic waters: Study
The frigid waters that surround Antarctica may be inhospitable to human inhabitance, but they are churning with the manmade relics of toxic chemical production, a new study has found. Certain types of 'forever chemicals' are present in ocean areas west of the Antarctic Peninsula at levels comparable to those in the North Atlantic, according to the study, published in Communications Earth & Environment. These findings, the study authors stated, underscore the importance of considering persistence when weighing environmental risk, while shedding light 'on the impact of the larger pool of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances,' also known as PFAS. There are about 15,000 types of these so-called 'forever chemicals,' many of which are linked to cancers and other serious illnesses. Known for their ability to linger in the environment, PFAS are found in certain firefighting foams and in a variety of household products, such as waterproof apparel, nonstick pans and cosmetics. Although previous studies have suggested only a limited presence of PFAS in the Southern Ocean, the authors — from Spain's Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research and the University of Barcelona — were able to challenge this assumption. The prevailing notion, they explained, reasoned that the 'circumpolar current' that flows clockwise around Antarctic prevented the transport of PFAS southwards. Yet at the same time, the researchers recognized that oceans have become 'a major reservoir' of a PFAS subgroup called perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) — and that certain precursors of PFAAs had been identified in the Southern Ocean's atmosphere. 'PFAAs are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical oceans and are extremely persistent in the environment,' the authors stated. Among the two most notorious types of PFAAs around the world are PFOA and PFOS — carcinogens that have largely been phased out of production but that remain in soil and water resources due to their longevity. To determine whether these persistent — and often toxic — types of PFAS had in fact infiltrated the Southern Ocean, the scientists conducted on-site water sampling in the area, accompanied by analytical procedures. In doing so, they identified PFAA concentrations in seawater at Antarctic latitudes of 71 degrees south comparable with those of 37 degrees north — in regions with known PFAS sources across Europe, the Mediterranean, Central Asia and the United States. Given the circumpolar current's likely role as 'a barrier for the north-south transport of PFAAs by oceanic currents,' the researchers focused on a possible mechanism called 'wet deposition,' when aerosolized pollutants fall from the atmosphere with rain or snow. The scientists ultimately determined that PFAA compounds are transported via ocean currents from the southern subtropical Atlantic to the sub-Antarctic — the zone immediately north of the Antarctic region. From there, what likely occurs is a phenomenon known as 'sea-spray mediated grasshopping,' in which PFAA-laden sea spray forms in the atmosphere and then deposits in the Southern Ocean, per the study. The Southern Ocean, the authors explained, is known for its high wind speeds, and the region in general endures 'incursions' of wet air masses from the north. Once the compounds have made it into the Antarctic region and have crossed a maritime barrier called 'the Antarctic divergence,' they are generally there to stay, the study found. This polar PFAS pileup, the authors warned, raises concerns about potential risks posed to the Antarctic ecosystem. They therefore stressed a need for further research into the prevalence of such 'persistent contaminants of emerging concern' across the region. 'This unexpected accumulation evidences the global risk posed by persistent chemicals,' the authors added.
