Forever chemicals are polluting a substantial majority of tested waterways in the Chesapeake Bay region, according to a new report.
PFAS were detected in 100% of the waterway locations tested in the District of Columbia, 100% in Delaware, 95% in Pennsylvania, 93% in New York, 71% in West Virginia, 70% in Virginia and 67% in Maryland. The testing was conducted from 2022 to 2024.
“The [U.S.] capital region’s waterways should be clean and free of toxic chemicals,” said Ruby Mae Heathman, an associate with the Environment America Research & Policy Center, one of the study’s authors. “Yet PFAS contamination of our rivers and lakes is widespread. We shouldn’t have to worry about tainted drinking water or catching and eating contaminated fish.”
Amid PFAS pollution lawsuits, Perdue wants to increase its discharges. Residents are skeptical.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of more than 12,000 compounds found in countless products. They persist in the environment for eons – hence their nickname, “forever chemicals.” Some have been linked to cancer, cardiovascular issues and developmental harm…