Every Fish Sample Tested in Northern Illinois Rivers Found Contaminated with PFAS

Technology Networks | July 31, 2024

Read the full article (Technology News)

"Scientists tested nine fish species from four northern Illinois rivers for contamination with per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances, synthetic chemicals found in numerous industrial and commercial products and known to be harmful to human health. They found fish contaminated with PFAS in every one of their 15 test sites. Elevated levels of PFOS, one type of PFAS compound, were found in nearly all fish tested.

 

The findings are reported in the journal Science of the Total Environment.

 

The qualities that make PFAS desirable for industrial uses — their durability and stability under stresses such as high heat or exposure to water, for example — also make these chemicals particularly problematic in the environment and hazardous to human and animal health, said Joseph Irudayaraj, a professor of bioengineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who led the new study."

Topics:

• ChemicalsPFAS
• ChemicalsPFOS
• Environment
• Wildlife
• Affected community
• Health