PFAS Chemicals Move Through Great Lakes Food Web

New research from the University of Notre Dame has detailed how per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as "forever chemicals," move through the Great Lakes ecosystem and ultimately reach humans. The study, published in the Journal of Environmental Quality, utilized a meta-analysis of nearly 2,500 samples collected over 42 years, examining algae, fish, birds, and other organisms to identify trends in PFAS distribution. PFAS chemicals are persistent in the environment and have been linked to various health issues, including decreased fertility and increased cancer risk, and are found in human tissues.

The research highlights the food web as a primary pathway for PFAS transfer between organisms. Gary Lamberti, an aquatic science professor at Notre Dame and co-author of the study, stated that the food web acts as a vehicle for these chemicals, providing a more comprehensive understanding of their movement than previously available. While the study focused on six common PFAS compounds, the National Institutes of Health identifies over 15,000 types of these chemicals.

One significant finding from the research indicates a substantial decrease in perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) levels over the past two decades. This reduction is attributed to a voluntary phaseout of PFOS by industries in the early 2000s, demonstrating that cessation of manufacturing can lead to eventual reductions in environmental presence. The study's findings underscore the pervasive nature of PFAS and the complex pathways through which they contaminate ecosystems and potentially impact human health, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring and mitigation efforts.