Toxic Downpour: “Forever Chemicals” Rain on All Five Great Lakes

A study on PFAS in the Great Lakes shows uniform pollution levels from precipitation and differing rates of chemical removal across the lakes, emphasizing the need for enhanced regulatory measures.
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as “forever chemicals,” are enduring environmental contaminants found in air, water, and soil. Their chemical stability allows them to circulate through the water cycle, infiltrating sources of drinking water and precipitation. Research reported in the American Chemical Society’s journal Environmental Science & Technology indicates that precipitation deposits roughly equal quantities of PFAS into each of the Great Lakes; however, the lakes eliminate the chemicals at different rates.