Has PFAS contaminated your beach?

As summer kicks into high gear and more families are hitting lakes and beaches around the country, the last thing on their minds is potential dangers lurking in the water.

Staff | TPIN
Chesapeake Bay Beach

By Shannon Halinski

As summer kicks into high gear and more families are hitting lakes and beaches around the country, the last thing on their minds is potential dangers lurking in the water. 

Since PFAS pollution is invisible, you wouldn’t know that the dangerous chemical is in your favorite swimming hole until it’s too late. PFAS has been discovered in numerous locations around the country; there are now 2,858 individual sites or water systems in the US where PFAS has been detected. Additionally, in a 2022 study, researchers found PFAS in 83% of waterways sampled.

 

What’s the harm?

PFAS has been linked to a variety of cancers and other negative effects specifically for children, including reduced vaccine effectiveness and possible developmental delays. The substances have earned the moniker “forever chemicals” due to their tendency to stick around and not decay. It is now estimated that almost every American has some level of PFAS in their blood.

The main route of exposure to PFAS is from drinking water or eating food contaminated with the harmful chemicals. We don’t yet know if swimming in lakes contaminated with PFAS is dangerous, however, ingesting PFAS is unhealthy. Especially with young children who may accidentally swallow water, it’s better to avoid the potential risk. 

 

Is your local lake safe?

This interactive map shows known and presumed PFAS pollution around the country.

PFAS Exchange and PFAS Project Lab | Used by permission

This tool was developed by the PFAS Project lab, a group of faculty and students at Northeastern University.

The PFAS pollution around the country can be attributed to industrial manufacturing, a firefighting foam containing PFAS, and sites related to waste containing PFAS, including agricultural sites where PFAS-contaminated sludge was used. For decades, polluters have knowingly or unknowingly introduced PFAS into wastewater systems or even local waterways. 

Enough is enough; we need to turn off the tap on toxics and stop the output of PFAS into our environment, and our kids.

Topics
Authors

Lisa Frank

Executive Director, Environment America Research & Policy Center; Vice President and D.C. Director, The Public Interest Network

Lisa leads Environment America’s work for a greener, healthier world. She also directs The Public Interest Network’s Washington, D.C., office and operations. A pragmatic idealist, Lisa has helped win billions of dollars in investments in clean energy and transportation and developed strategic campaigns to protect America’s oceans, forests and public lands. Lisa is an Oregonian transplant to the Capital region, where she loves hiking, running, biking, and cooking for friends and family.

Emily Scarr

Senior Advisor, Maryland PIRG

Emily is a senior advisor for Maryland PIRG. Recently, Emily helped win small donor public financing in Montgomery and Howard counties, and the Maryland Keep Antibiotics Effective Act to protect public health by restricting the use of antibiotics on Maryland farms. Emily also serves on the Executive Committees of the Maryland Fair Elections Coalition and the Maryland Campaign to Keep Antibiotics Working, and the Steering Committees for the Maryland Pesticide Action Network and Marylanders for Open Government. Emily lives in Baltimore with her husband and dog.

staff | TPIN

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