Emphasis on Forever
“Forever chemicals,” scientifically known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are a group of more than 15,000 human-made compounds that have become a major environmental concern. Their name comes from the incredibly strong carbon-fluorine bonds that make them resistant to heat, water, and oil. This persistence means they do not break down naturally in the environment and can last for hundreds or even thousands of years.
The Great Lakes, a vital source of freshwater for tens of millions of people in the U.S. and Canada, are contaminated with PFAS. Research indicates that the levels of these chemicals in the lakes and the connected St. Lawrence River are higher than the national average in Canada, though not yet at a level to cause immediate alarm. The primary sources of this contamination are believed to be the high concentration of industry and people living in the region, with chemicals spreading from landfills, industrial and municipal wastewater, and firefighting training sites.
Studies have shown that PFAS are being deposited into the Great Lakes by precipitation, suggesting that they are present in the air and are a widespread issue. While levels of some older, regulated PFAS like PFOS and PFOA have decreased in recent years, newer replacement chemicals are being detected at high levels, underscoring the ongoing challenge.
Scientists Studying the Issue
A number of scientists and organizations are actively studying PFAS in the Great Lakes. Their work is crucial for understanding the extent of the contamination, how these chemicals move through the ecosystem, and their impact on human and wildlife health.
- Marta Venier at Indiana University is a leading figure in environmental chemistry, specializing in persistent pollutants in the atmosphere. She and her team, in partnership with the U.S. EPA and Canada’s Environment and Climate Change Canada, are monitoring the atmospheric deposition of PFAS to the Great Lakes. Her research has confirmed that precipitation is a significant pathway for PFAS entering the lakes.
- Bernard Crimmins at Clarkson University is an environmental analytical chemist who has been studying “non-targeted” PFAS, looking for previously unknown contaminants in the Great Lakes. His research in Lake Huron, for example, has revealed dozens of unstudied forever chemicals in fish, mussels, and water.
- Gary Lamberti and Graham Peaslee at the University of Notre Dame have studied PFAS in Lake Michigan fish. Their work, funded by the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, found PFAS in all sportfish and prey they sampled, with particularly concerning levels of the toxic PFOS in salmon and trout. They also developed a quick and affordable screening tool to analyze total fluorine levels as an indicator for PFAS.
- The Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) is also playing a key role, conducting research and advocating for policy changes to address contaminants like PFAS that affect the subsistence fish species crucial to tribal communities.
Remediation Efforts
Remediation of PFAS in the Great Lakes is a complex challenge, but there are projects and initiatives underway to address the problem.
- Great Lakes Water Innovation Engine (ReNEW): Funded by the National Science Foundation, this multi-state project aims to develop and deploy new technologies to clean the Great Lakes. Researchers are working on “selective-separation technologies” to remove and destroy forever chemicals from wastewater. This initiative is a partnership between academic institutions, industry, government, and nonprofits, with a goal of not only cleaning the water but also fostering economic growth in the region.
- Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI): The U.S. EPA, through this initiative, is funding large-scale cleanup projects for legacy pollution. While many of these projects have historically focused on other contaminants like PCBs, the funding and initiatives are increasingly being used to address emerging contaminants, including PFAS.
- Technological Innovations: Researchers at institutions like Michigan State University are developing novel solutions to destroy PFAS. One example is the use of “cold plasma” to break down the resilient carbon-fluorine bonds in concentrated PFAS found in industrial wastewater and landfills.
- Policy and Regulation: States in the Great Lakes region, such as Illinois and Michigan, are taking steps to address PFAS through legislation. This includes prohibiting the use of firefighting foam containing added PFAS and requiring water treatment facilities to monitor and remove these chemicals. The U.S. EPA has also set limits on certain PFAS in drinking water.
Ramifications for Wildlife and Human Health
The presence of forever chemicals in the Great Lakes poses significant risks to both wildlife and human health.
Wildlife:
- Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification: PFAS are known to build up in the bodies of organisms (bioaccumulation) and increase in concentration as they move up the food chain (biomagnification). This is particularly concerning for predatory fish like salmon and trout, which are popular for sport fishing.
- Health Effects: The health effects of PFAS on wildlife are still being studied, but there is evidence of reproductive impairment, thyroid and other endocrine disorders, and developmental toxicity in species such as bald eagles, herring gulls, and snapping turtles.
Human Health:
- Drinking Water: The Great Lakes are a primary source of drinking water for a large population. While many communities have not yet exceeded the new federal limits for certain PFAS, the presence of these chemicals is a serious concern.
- Fish Consumption: Eating fish from the Great Lakes is a significant source of human exposure to PFAS. Some studies have found levels of PFAS in Great Lakes fish that would exceed the recommended weekly consumption limits set by the European Food Safety Authority. This has led some states to issue fish consumption advisories to protect residents.
- Health Effects: Exposure to PFAS has been linked to a wide range of potential health risks, including:
- Cancer (kidney, testicular)
- Thyroid disease
- Liver damage
- Decreased fertility and reproductive issues
- Delays in child development
- Reduced vaccine response
- Increased cholesterol levels
- Type 2 diabetes
In Conclusion
The pervasive presence of “forever chemicals” (PFAS) in the Great Lakes represents a significant and ongoing environmental challenge. While a multitude of dedicated scientists are working to understand the sources, pathways, and impacts of these persistent pollutants, the full extent of the problem and its long-term ramifications on human and wildlife health are still being uncovered. Remediation efforts, though in their early stages, are gaining momentum through technological innovation, multi-organizational partnerships, and stronger regulatory policies. Addressing this contamination is a critical and complex task, requiring continued research, concerted cleanup efforts, and preventative measures to safeguard one of the world’s most vital freshwater resources for future generations.
