A new national analysis has revealed elevated levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in U.S. waterways, including the Los Angeles River. The findings urge state and local action to address the harm posed by these substances known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment or our bodies.
The Waterkeeper Alliance, a global network of organizations focused on restoring waterways through community advocacy, science and legal action, tested water upstream and downstream of wastewater treatment plants and biosolid sites (facilities that process sewage sludge). The organization completed its analysis by working with LA Waterkeeper and 112 other groups across 34 states.
The results found that 98% of U.S. surface waters tested contained PFAS, which are a group of thousands of synthetic chemicals used widely in everyday products, including dental floss, firefighting foams and non-stick cookware. Exposure to certain levels of PFAS is linked to harmful health effects, including increased cholesterol, decreased fertility in women and increased risks of some types of cancer, including prostate, kidney and testicular cancer. In Los Angeles, 41 of 45 samples collected from 17 rivers and tributary sites contained multiple types of forever chemicals…