Latest news with #PFAS-contaminated
National Observer
a day ago
- Health
- National Observer
Homeowners question government over PFAS contamination cleanup
Edward Sheerr didn't know much about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances until they were discovered in his drinking water. He, his wife and their two children moved to their home in the town of Torbay, Newfoundland and Labrador, in 2017 and found out from neighbours that the water in their area was not safe to drink. He recalls feeling afraid, angry and desperate for answers: 'What are the possible implications from that? And what really can we do about it?' Eventually, he learned that the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination was coming from St. John's International Airport before spreading and seeping into the household well water in his neighbourhood. PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals used since the 1950s in everything from clothing to food wrappers to cookware. But one of the most problematic uses is at airports and airport firefighter training facilities, where aqueous firefighting foams (AFFF) contain PFAS. These 'forever chemicals' build up in the environment and in people who come into contact with them. The St. John's airport is one of 33 PFAS-contaminated airport sites for which Transport Canada is responsible, according to the department's own data. Some of these sites have been identified as PFAS-contaminated for over 20 years, but have not yet undergone complete environmental remediation to clean PFAS out of the soil and water. All of which has added another question for Sheerr: What's taking so long? 'They don't go anywhere' The Torbay site was classified as contaminated by Transport Canada in 2005-2006 and, 20 years later, just under 19,000 tons of contamination has been cleaned up. Other sites are also seeing sluggish progress. A site in Sept-Îles, Quebec, was identified seven years ago but is still in the planning stages for a cleanup which hasn't been performed yet. Watson Lake in the Yukon was added to the list in 2005-2006 — and current information shows that no remediation work beyond planning has happened. The St. John's airport is one of 33 PFAS-contaminated airport sites for which Transport Canada is responsible, according to the department's own data. Some of these sites have been identified as PFAS-contaminated for over 20 years. A research paper from 2018 assessed that of 2,071 airport and heliport sites across Canada, 420 sites likely have PFAS contamination from firefighting foam and 25 of these sites were between 200 metres to 2.5 kilometres from surface water such as streams, lakes or wetlands. Their ubiquity is a direct consequence of their utility. 'On one side, they're amazing chemicals,' says Johan Foster, an associate professor with the University of British Columbia's chemical and biological engineering department. 'They're wonderful for what they do.' And because they're so effective, they're used a lot, he says. But their chemical structures mean they don't break down. 'That's why they're the 'forever chemicals,' because they just kind of sit around, they never degrade, and then they build up,' he says. Also, PFAS don't stay local — they travel, sometimes long distances away from the original polluted area. They spread via groundwater, surface water, run-off, soil, rain and wind. They evaporate into the air and drop somewhere else. They can spread with activities, like water bombers scooping up water from a contaminated lake and dumping it on a forest fire elsewhere, says Foster. Because they spread easily, water-soluble PFAS are the ones most frequently found in nature, he says. 'If it rains, they get into the groundwater,' he says. 'We can eat them, they get into our bloodstream, they cause all sorts of problems inside the human body and also with animals and nature. We don't break them down inside of our body, and they don't go anywhere.' The chemicals had been widely adopted because of how cheap and easy they are to use — but cleaning them up is precisely the opposite. 'Truly, once the cat is out of the bag, cleanup of PFAS is wildly expensive and very complex work,' says Cassie Barker, senior program manager for toxics at nonprofit Environmental Defence. 'I think that these municipalities and/or private well-users are left holding the bag on trying to find expensive water treatment solutions at the end of the pipe.' There isn't yet a good remediation method, either. There are two main technologies available, Foster says. One is absorbative, which uses a filter to remove PFAS from water, but those filters are then contaminated. If they're sent to a landfill site, they'll just transfer the contamination to the ground. There's also electro-oxidation and supercritical water methods. For the latter, a container of water is heated to 374 degrees Celsius under a lot of pressure that ultimately destroys the PFAS. This is what engineers like Foster call a 'very dilute problem.' If you were to throw half a wooden toothpick-sized quantity of PFAS into an Olympic-sized swimming pool, that would make it undrinkable. Now imagine cleaning that up. 'You just can't take that swimming pool of water and heat it up. You have to be able to concentrate it and then destroy it,' he says. 'That creates an issue of being able to do this at scale.' Where are the PFAS? Even before the difficult work of remediation can begin, the PFAS need to be found. However, Canada lacks comprehensive records about PFAS contaminations or its presence in water systems or groundwater. While over 100 federal sites have been identified as PFAS-contaminated, the Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory does not yet include all of them, according to a 2025 report from Environment and Climate Change Canada and Health Canada. PFAS was only added to the inventory in 2024-2025. Further, environmental releases of PFAS are reported to the national spill registry, which is better suited to capture spills of substances such as oil or diesel — not something that can contaminate a swimming pool with a couple of drops — so small but still consequential amounts may not be reported. As well, not all types of PFAS get picked up by standard commercial analyses, says Kela Weber, professor of chemistry and chemical engineering at the Royal Military College and co-author of the 2018 paper. That's been, he says, 'a fundamental challenge from the start.' 'There are so many different types of PFAS, most labs can't even analyze for them,' he says. And if we don't know what was present in the first place, we can't know whether it's really been destroyed, he points out. Additionally, the PFAS being dealt with now are from 30-odd years ago, not the current variations, which are ever-expanding — one estimate puts global annual PFAS sales at $55 billion a year. As if the problem weren't already complex enough, PFAS can transform as they move through the world, evaporating, condensing and encountering other chemicals. 'The challenge of remediation is not the removal of the parent compound that you're interested in,' Weber says. 'It's the removal of all PFAS, including what that parent compound is transformed into.' He says that's what happens with all removal technologies, 'whether it's detected there's transformation happening or not.' Who's going to pay? As evidence mounts of the chemicals' harms, individuals and governments are taking PFAS manufacturers to court. Transport Canada is suing chemical manufacturers 3M and Mueller Water Products, while British Columbia filed a class action against manufacturers last year. But governments are also facing lawsuits for their part in allowing the chemical contamination to go so far. The Sheerrs are part of a class action lawsuit launched against Transport Canada last fall, accusing the department of negligence and seeking damages, among other things. They say the department has never performed a hydrogeological study, even though the Department of Environment and the Town of Torbay have both recommended one. 'We're at somewhat of a loss as to why it is that Transport Canada hasn't committed to doing that yet,' says Alex Templeton, the lawyer heading the lawsuit. Transport Canada declined to provide a representative for an interview and instead sent a comment that reads, in part, 'Transport Canada takes its responsibilities related to human health and the environment seriously, especially with respect to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). … When test results at an airport property boundary indicate exceedances of the new PFAS objective, Transport Canada has been contacting neighbouring residents with residential drinking water wells to test their water.' But the Sheerrs found out about their water when Transport Canada tested other homes in their neighbourhood. Eddie Sheerr contacted the department himself to request a water test. 'I had to reach out to them. They didn't reach out to me,' he says. In-home filtration systems promised last fall have yet to materialize, he says, and as with other homes in their community that found PFAS presence in excess of 30 nanograms a litre, the Sheerrs are now receiving 15 five-gallon bottles of water a month from Transport Canada. There are many start-ups and researchers trying to solve the PFAS removal problem. Foster has a PFAS-cleaning start-up being tested, and Weber is working on a method that's scheduled for a field trial in Ontario next year. The Sheerrs and others in their community would like more transparency and help, and Foster would like more regulations and plans. 'This is our generation's leaded fuel,' he says. 'It's in the environment. You can't see it. You can't smell it. It's creating all of these health problems. And we're going to have to deal with it.'
West Australian
5 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
‘I know there's concern' says Alcoa Australia president Elsabe Muller as US miner fights for South West mine
Alcoa's new local chief Elsabe Muller insists the US bauxite giant is putting 'all effort in' to win approvals to keep mining the State's Jarrah Forest as the plans undergo lengthy public scrutiny. The Pittsburgh-headquartered miner and alumina refiner is fighting to secure two environmental ticks from the State Government to expand its bauxite mine in the South West, and to increase production capacity at the Pinjarra Alumina Refinery. Asked whether she was confident Alcoa would get the green light for its expansion plans, Ms Muller told a WA Mining Club event the miner was 'putting all effort in to make sure that we're getting the support to get approval.' Alcoa's existing approvals were locked in under a State agreement in 1961 and therefore have not gone through WA's current environmental assessment regime to make sure they meet modern standards . 'For any mining company, you tend to mine where the deposit can be economically extracted. Now, in our case in WA, you find it in the Jarrah Forest,' operations president Ms Muller said on Thursday. She referenced research from the Global Aluminium Council that claimed demand for the metal would increase between 30 per cent and 40 per cent by 2030. 'It will double by 2050 because you do need it to decarbonise. There's no substitute,' she said. 'We obviously need to enter new mining areas so that our refineries can keep operating for decades to come.' WA's Environmental Protection Authority launched a 12-week public comment period for the plans at the end of May, a move Alcoa said earlier this month would mean it was unlikely a Ministerial decision would be made by early 2026, as had been anticipated. The miner has also faced substantial community concern since it was served an official notice by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation in 2023, after inspectors found Alcoa had built a pipeline and funnelled toxic PFAS-contaminated waste over Samson Brook dam despite a works application still being 'under assessment'. Asked how it would address these concerns during the public feedback period, Ms Muller said on Thursday that Alcoa had 'never impacted drinking water' and had implemented a reservoir protection zone 'to absolutely make sure we will not'. 'I know that there's concern. We've never impacted drinking water.'
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The Latest Unlikely Source of 'Forever Chemicals' Is a Memorial Day Menu Staple
"Forever chemicals," or synthetic compounds that have been linked to cancer and other health problems, have now been found in beer Researchers with the American Chemical Society found in a new study that beer brewed in regions of the U.S. with forever chemicals in their tap water had the highest concentration of such chemicals "I hope these findings inspire water treatment strategies and policies that help reduce the likelihood of PFAS in future pours," research lead Jennifer Hoponick Redmon saidThe synthetic compounds known as "forever chemicals" that have been linked to cancer and other health problems have been found in a popular beverage — and researchers believe these compounds make their way in through drinking water. A new study from the American Chemical Society published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology has found forever chemicals, or PFAS, have been found in beers from several regions around the U.S. According to a press release from researchers, it was previously proven that forever chemicals are present in hundreds of tap water systems around the country. This new study found that "beers produced in parts of the country with known PFAS-contaminated water sources showed the highest levels of forever chemicals." Research lead Jennifer Hoponick Redmon said in the release, "As an occasional beer drinker myself, I wondered whether PFAS in water supplies was making its way into our pints." Beer is made of about 90% water, and the rest is malt from grains such as barley, hops and yeast. The study found that almost two gallons of water are sometimes used to produce just one quart of beer. Although breweries usually have a water filtration system in place their tap water, "they are not necessarily effective at removing [forever chemicals]," and during production, tap water can potentially introduce "contaminants." To conduct the study, Hoponick Redmon and her colleagues tested 23 beers, some produced by "U.S. brewers in areas with documented water system contamination, plus popular domestic and international beers from larger companies with unknown water sources." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Forever chemicals were found in 95% of the beers they tested. The Environmental Protection Agency recently updated regulations for such chemicals — including perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) — when they extended deadlines to reduce the amount of PFOS and PFOA in Americans' tap water earlier this month. Although the study didn't name specific brands of beer, researchers found that beers brewed near Cape Fear River Basin in North Carolina had the highest levels and largest mix of forever chemicals. Beer from St. Louis County, Mo. also had large amounts of PFAS present. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! According to Hoponick Redmon, this strong correlation between forever chemicals in tap water and locally-brewed beer has not yet been studied in U.S. retail beer. Researchers now hope that this data can spread awareness to beer companies, and that regulators will step in and try to limit consumers' exposure to forever chemicals. The study also highlights the "possible need for water treatment upgrades at brewing facilities," as well as updates to tap water treatment centers. "I hope these findings inspire water treatment strategies and policies that help reduce the likelihood of PFAS in future pours," Hoponick Redmon added. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Woman launches battle for justice after uncovering toxic threat in local community: 'I made a promise to God when I was sick'
When Brenda Hampton suffered two heart attacks, a stroke, and kidney failure linked to forever chemicals in her drinking water, she decided to become a community advocate for others impacted by the harmful chemicals. As reported, Hampton noticed that her neighbors were also dealing with similar health problems and said she traced them to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, in their water supplies. Their community is adjacent to the Tennessee River, where several industrial plants — including 3M — are located. Hampton founded the Concerned Citizens of North Alabama, an advocacy group dedicated to raising awareness about the health effects of drinking PFAS-contaminated water. She's also one of four people featured in a newly released book on PFAS called "Poisoning the Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America." PFAS have been found in drinking water across the United States, with one study finding that at least 45% of the nation's tap water could be contaminated with the chemicals. "Our idea was to take four different communities around the country that each have a unique type of PFAS problem. Unique among each other, but not unique nationwide," one of the book's co-authors, Sharon Udasin, told the news outlet. Hampton told that she kept herself going with the goal of saving others. "I keep saying that the chemicals are going to get the best of me," Hampton said. "I made a promise to God when I was sick, down for 18 months, and I had smaller children at that time: 'God, if you would help me to help these people and give me back my strength, I would do all that I can to help people.'" As Hampton explained, PFAS have been linked to serious health issues, including increased risk of cancers, immune system problems, respiratory illnesses, and liver damage, among others. They can even lead to death in some cases, according to research. Because PFAS don't break down easily in the environment or our bodies, they can have far-reaching impacts, especially since they're used in so many household products — including nonstick pans and food packaging. PFAS can get into drinking water from industrial plants, firefighting foams, and leaching from landfills, which is concerning for anyone who lives nearby. reported that Hampton's advocacy work has paid off, with a reverse osmosis plant opening in Lawrence County in 2021 that will improve the water quality. She's also spoken at conferences nationwide to raise awareness about the chemicals. How often do you worry about toxic chemicals getting into your home? Always Often Sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. New Hampshire lawmakers recently banned PFAS in ski, board, and boat waxes, and France announced the chemicals would be prohibited in clothing textiles and cosmetics starting next year. Scientists have also made notable progress on removing PFAS from drinking water with high-tech water filters and activated carbon. Consumers can avoid the harmful chemicals by using stainless steel or cast iron cookware, opting for clean beauty products such as Walmart's line of PFAS-free makeup, and natural cleaning products like good old-fashioned baking soda and vinegar. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Trump administration rolls back some PFAS standards in drinking water, delays others
The Trump administration will move to rescind standards put in place last year to restrict allowable levels of several so-called forever chemicals found in drinking water supplies across the U.S., while giving water systems an additional two years to meet rules enacted at the same time for other toxins of a similar type. Lee Zeldin, head of Trump's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced the proposed change regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known collectively as PFAS, on May 14. The substances, which may be linked to high blood pressure, some cancers and other illnesses, have been used widely in consumer products, including electronics and cookware, as well as in firefighting foam, and are known to build up in the environment over time. The state of Michigan has determined the presence of thousands of potentially PFAS-contaminated sites in the state over the last decade and has put in place its own restrictions on contaminant levels in drinking water systems, though those were generally not quite as strict as those finalized in April 2024 by former President Joe Biden's administration. Zeldin said in a news release on May 14 that he would keep in place the Biden administration's enforceable standards on two types of PFAS −perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, or PFOS, in drinking water at 4 parts per trillion. But in response to what he said were "significant compliance challenges," he said the EPA would move to extend the deadline for meeting those standards from 2029 to 2031. 'The work to protect Americans from PFAS in drinking water started under the first Trump Administration and will continue under my leadership,' Zeldin said. 'We are on a path to uphold the agency's nationwide standards to protect Americans from PFOA and PFOS in their water. At the same time, we will work to provide common-sense flexibility in the form of additional time for compliance." Zeldin also announced the EPA would go through the normal rulemaking procedure to rescind enforceable standards for four other related PFAS: perfluorohexane sulfonic acid, or PFHxS; perfluorononanoic acid, or PFNA, and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid, or HFPO-DA or GenX chemicals, or any of those three with perfluorobutane sulfonic acid, or PFBS. The EPA said those were being rescinded "to ensure that the determinations and any resulting drinking water regulation follow the legal process" required by law, though it didn't say if, or how, the Biden administration rules may have skirted the federal Safe Water Drinking Act. Environmentalists denounced the move, which had been praised as a regulatory step forward in protecting drinking water when it was finalized last year, though water systems raised concerns about the cost and compliance timetable. 'More than 100 million people are drinking water contaminated with 'forever chemicals,' which can cause cancer, harm fetuses and kids and pose other health hazards. But now the administration is going to toss out most of these long-sought protections and allow this contamination to continue unabated all at the behest of the chemical industry and water utilities," said Erik Olson, senior strategic director for health at the Natural Resources Defense Council, a nationwide environmental group. 'With a stroke of the pen, EPA is making a mockery of the Trump administration's promise to deliver clean water for Americans," Olson said. Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@ Follow him on X @tsspangler. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trump's EPA rolls back some PFAS standards in drinking water
