Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’ Found in Largest U.S. Freshwater Supply
Was it worth it to have a nonstick skillet?
GEOFF ROBINS/AFP via Getty Images
Forever chemicals have become “ubiquitous” across the Great Lakes water basin, which accounts for 95 percent of the United States’ freshwater supply, according to a new report. PFAS or man-made forever chemicals are used to make products resistant to water, oil, fire, including nonstick skillets, water-repellent clothing, and have been linked to a range of serious diseases. According to The Guardian, the study found that a large portion of the chemicals arrived in the basin from precipitation, which was not previously considered a large source of PFAS in the basin. Water and air contamination were the highest on Lake Ontario, which is surrounded by the most urban centers. Lake Superior had the lowest levels of contamination, but it is also the largest of the lakes. Fish consumption advisories have been issued across the region, and in Michigan there are thousands of sites where the drinking water has been contaminated. “We need to take a broad approach to control sources that release PFAS into the atmosphere and into bodies of water… since they eventually all end up in the lakes,” said Marta Venier, one of the study’s co-authors.
See more of our coverage in your search results.
Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.