Latest news with #PFOA
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Toxic ‘forever chemicals' have infiltrated Antarctic waters: Study
The frigid waters that surround Antarctica may be inhospitable to human inhabitance, but they are churning with the manmade relics of toxic chemical production, a new study has found. Certain types of 'forever chemicals' are present in ocean areas west of the Antarctic Peninsula at levels comparable to those in the North Atlantic, according to the study, published in Communications Earth & Environment. These findings, the study authors stated, underscore the importance of considering persistence when weighing environmental risk, while shedding light 'on the impact of the larger pool of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances,' also known as PFAS. There are about 15,000 types of these so-called 'forever chemicals,' many of which are linked to cancers and other serious illnesses. Known for their ability to linger in the environment, PFAS are found in certain firefighting foams and in a variety of household products, such as waterproof apparel, nonstick pans and cosmetics. Although previous studies have suggested only a limited presence of PFAS in the Southern Ocean, the authors — from Spain's Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research and the University of Barcelona — were able to challenge this assumption. The prevailing notion, they explained, reasoned that the 'circumpolar current' that flows clockwise around the Antarctic prevented the transport of PFAS southwards. Yet at the same time, the researchers recognized that oceans have become 'a major reservoir' of a PFAS subgroup called perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) — and that certain precursors of PFAAs had been identified in the Southern Ocean's atmosphere. 'PFAAs are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical oceans and are extremely persistent in the environment,' the authors stated. Among the two most notorious types of PFAAs around the world are PFOA and PFOS — carcinogens that have largely been phased out of production but that remain in soil and water resources due to their longevity. To determine whether these persistent — and often toxic — types of PFAS had in fact infiltrated the Southern Ocean, the scientists conducted on-site water sampling in the area, accompanied by analytical procedures. In doing so, they identified PFAA concentrations in seawater at Antarctic latitudes of 71 degrees south comparable with those of 37 degrees north — in regions with known PFAS sources across Europe, the Mediterranean, Central Asia and the United States. Given the circumpolar current's likely role as 'a barrier for the north-south transport of PFAAs by oceanic currents,' the researchers focused on a possible mechanism called 'wet deposition,' when aerosolized pollutants fall from the atmosphere with rain or snow. The scientists ultimately determined that PFAA compounds are transported via ocean currents from the southern subtropical Atlantic to the sub-Antarctic — the zone immediately north of the Antarctic region. From there, what likely occurs is a phenomenon known as 'sea-spray mediated grasshopping,' in which PFAA-laden sea spray forms in the atmosphere and then deposits in the Southern Ocean, per the study. The Southern Ocean, the authors explained, is known for its high wind speeds, and the region in general endures 'incursions' of wet air masses from the north. Once the compounds have made it into the Antarctic region and have crossed a maritime barrier called 'the Antarctic divergence,' they are generally there to stay, the study found. This polar PFAS pileup, the authors warned, raises concerns about potential risks posed to the Antarctic ecosystem. They therefore stressed a need for further research into the prevalence of such 'persistent contaminants of emerging concern' across the region. 'This unexpected accumulation evidences the global risk posed by persistent chemicals,' the authors added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
15-07-2025
- Science
- The Hill
Toxic ‘forever chemicals' have infiltrated Antarctic waters: Study
The frigid waters that surround Antarctica may be inhospitable to human inhabitance, but they are churning with the manmade relics of toxic chemical production, a new study has found. Certain types of 'forever chemicals' are present in ocean areas west of the Antarctic Peninsula at levels comparable to those in the North Atlantic, according to the study, published in Communications Earth & Environment. These findings, the study authors stated, underscore the importance of considering persistence when weighing environmental risk, while shedding light 'on the impact of the larger pool of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances,' also known as PFAS. There are about 15,000 types of these so-called 'forever chemicals,' many of which are linked to cancers and other serious illnesses. Known for their ability to linger in the environment, PFAS are found in certain firefighting foams and in a variety of household products, such as waterproof apparel, nonstick pans and cosmetics. Although previous studies have suggested only a limited presence of PFAS in the Southern Ocean, the authors — from Spain's Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research and the University of Barcelona — were able to challenge this assumption. The prevailing notion, they explained, reasoned that the 'circumpolar current' that flows clockwise around Antarctic prevented the transport of PFAS southwards. Yet at the same time, the researchers recognized that oceans have become 'a major reservoir' of a PFAS subgroup called perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) — and that certain precursors of PFAAs had been identified in the Southern Ocean's atmosphere. 'PFAAs are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical oceans and are extremely persistent in the environment,' the authors stated. Among the two most notorious types of PFAAs around the world are PFOA and PFOS — carcinogens that have largely been phased out of production but that remain in soil and water resources due to their longevity. To determine whether these persistent — and often toxic — types of PFAS had in fact infiltrated the Southern Ocean, the scientists conducted on-site water sampling in the area, accompanied by analytical procedures. In doing so, they identified PFAA concentrations in seawater at Antarctic latitudes of 71 degrees south comparable with those of 37 degrees north — in regions with known PFAS sources across Europe, the Mediterranean, Central Asia and the United States. Given the circumpolar current's likely role as 'a barrier for the north-south transport of PFAAs by oceanic currents,' the researchers focused on a possible mechanism called 'wet deposition,' when aerosolized pollutants fall from the atmosphere with rain or snow. The scientists ultimately determined that PFAA compounds are transported via ocean currents from the southern subtropical Atlantic to the sub-Antarctic — the zone immediately north of the Antarctic region. From there, what likely occurs is a phenomenon known as 'sea-spray mediated grasshopping,' in which PFAA-laden sea spray forms in the atmosphere and then deposits in the Southern Ocean, per the study. The Southern Ocean, the authors explained, is known for its high wind speeds, and the region in general endures 'incursions' of wet air masses from the north. Once the compounds have made it into the Antarctic region and have crossed a maritime barrier called 'the Antarctic divergence,' they are generally there to stay, the study found. This polar PFAS pileup, the authors warned, raises concerns about potential risks posed to the Antarctic ecosystem. They therefore stressed a need for further research into the prevalence of such 'persistent contaminants of emerging concern' across the region. 'This unexpected accumulation evidences the global risk posed by persistent chemicals,' the authors added.
New York Post
11-07-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Chemical maker DuPont to shell out $27M for toxic contamination of NY village's water supply
Chemical maker DuPont has agreed to a $27 million settlement to resolve a nearly decade-long lawsuit over the contamination of an upstate New York village's water supply. The deal was announced Wednesday by lawyers representing residents of Hoosick Falls, located northwest of Albany, just as the case was headed to trial in federal court this week. The settlement brings the total recovered in the class action suit brought in 2016 to more than $90 million, lawyers for Rochester-based firm Faraci Lange said. The settlement brings the total recovered in the class action suit brought in 2016 to more than $90 million. Ricochet64 – Three other companies — Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, Honeywell International and 3M —settled for a total of more than $65 million in 2021. DuPont was the last remaining defendant. 'We are gratified to have reached what we believe will be the final resolution of this case that will provide significant added benefit to the residents of Hoosick Falls and the Town of Hoosick,' said Stephen Schwarz. DuPont declined to comment Friday, but the Delaware-based company noted that the case relates to E.I. DuPont de Nemours, which operated its performance chemicals business until it was spun out in 2015. The DuPont settlement, which must still be approved by a federal judge, also includes another $6 million in funding for an existing medical monitoring program for exposed residents, according to attorneys. A general exterior view of the logo sign on the Honeywell International Inc office building on January 15, 2024 in Basildon, United Kingdom. Getty Images In their class action suit, Hoosick Falls residents claimed that a local Teflon fabric coating facility operated by Saint-Gobain and Honeywell caused local drinking water to become contaminated with perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA. DuPont, which made Teflon materials used at the facility, and 3M, which made the PFOA used by DuPont in its products, were added as defendants to the lawsuit in 2018. PFOA was once widely used in certain industrial processes but is now considered a harmful 'forever chemical' because it can persist in the environment for decades without decomposing. It has been linked to a number of serious illnesses including kidney and testicular cancer and has recently been classified as a carcinogen.
CTV News
11-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Chemical maker DuPont agrees to $27M settlement in polluted water lawsuit in upstate New York
In this June 15, 2016 photo, Hoosick Falls residents hold signs during a news conference at the state Capitol in Albany, N.Y., calling for hearings on the state's handling of PFOA contamination in drinking water in their town. New York environmental regulators are looking statewide for potential sites of groundwater contamination from a cancer-causing chemical previously used to make Teflon and other products. The Department of Environmental Conservation sent formal surveys last week to more than 150 facilities that may have used PFOA. Surveys were also sent to scores of fire departments, airports and other facilities that may have used the related chemical PFOS in firefighting foam. (AP Photo/Mike Groll) HOOSICK FALLS, N.Y. — Chemical maker DuPont has agreed to a US$27 million settlement to resolve a nearly decade-long lawsuit over the contamination of an upstate New York village's water supply. The deal was announced Wednesday by lawyers representing residents of Hoosick Falls, located northwest of Albany, just as the case was headed to trial in federal court this week. The settlement brings the total recovered in the class action suit brought in 2016 to more than $90 million, lawyers for Rochester-based firm Faraci Lange said. Three other companies — Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, Honeywell International and 3M —settled for a total of more than $65 million in 2021. DuPont was the last remaining defendant. 'We are gratified to have reached what we believe will be the final resolution of this case that will provide significant added benefit to the residents of Hoosick Falls and the Town of Hoosick,' said Stephen Schwarz. A spokesperson for Delaware-based DuPont didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment Friday. The DuPont settlement, which must still be approved by a federal judge, also includes another $6 million in funding for an existing medical monitoring program for exposed residents, according to attorneys. In their class action suit, Hoosick Falls residents claimed that a local Teflon fabric coating facility operated by Saint-Gobain and Honeywell caused local drinking water to become contaminated with perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA. DuPont, which made Teflon materials used at the facility, and 3M, which made the PFOA used by DuPont in its products, were added as defendants to the lawsuit in 2018. PFOA was once widely used in certain industrial processes but is now considered a harmful 'forever chemical' because it can persist in the environment for decades without decomposing. It has been linked to a number of serious illnesses including kidney and testicular cancer and has recently been classified as a carcinogen. The Associated Press
11-07-2025
- Health
DuPont agrees to $27M settlement in water lawsuit
HOOSICK FALLS, N.Y. -- Chemical maker DuPont has agreed to a $27 million settlement to resolve a nearly decade-long lawsuit over the contamination of an upstate New York village's water supply. The deal was announced Wednesday by lawyers representing residents of Hoosick Falls, located northwest of Albany, just as the case was headed to trial in federal court this week. The settlement brings the total recovered in the class action suit brought in 2016 to more than $90 million, lawyers for Rochester-based firm Faraci Lange said. Three other companies — Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, Honeywell International and 3M —settled for a total of more than $65 million in 2021. DuPont was the last remaining defendant. 'We are gratified to have reached what we believe will be the final resolution of this case that will provide significant added benefit to the residents of Hoosick Falls and the Town of Hoosick,' said Stephen Schwarz. A spokesperson for Delaware-based DuPont didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment Friday. The DuPont settlement, which must still be approved by a federal judge, also includes another $6 million in funding for an existing medical monitoring program for exposed residents, according to attorneys. In their class action suit, Hoosick Falls residents claimed that a local Teflon fabric coating facility operated by Saint-Gobain and Honeywell caused local drinking water to become contaminated with perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA. DuPont, which made Teflon materials used at the facility, and 3M, which made the PFOA used by DuPont in its products, were added as defendants to the lawsuit in 2018. PFOA was once widely used in certain industrial processes but is now considered a harmful 'forever chemical' because it can persist in the environment for decades without decomposing. It has been linked to a number of serious illnesses including kidney and testicular cancer and has recently been classified as a carcinogen.
