The PFAS acronym refers to a large family of chemicals, Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances which are man-made chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products worldwide since the 1940s. They have been used to make nonstick cookware, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant fabrics and carpets, some cosmetics, some firefighting foams, and products that resist grease, water, and oil.
The most commonly studied PFAS chemicals are PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid). PFOA and PFOS have been phased out of production and use in the United States, but other countries may still manufacture and use them. PFOA and PFOS are regulated in Michigan to protect the waters of our state. (i.e. – EGLE has established enforceable limits on the concentrations of these chemicals in drinking water, surface water, and groundwater).
“Dark Waters” is a Hollywood Drama (Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins) that tells a story of PFAS chemicals and the contamination of a drinking water source. Dark Waters is a Hollywood dramatization inspired by a true story, that can be streamed on several streaming services, and it is worth viewing to understand the potential issues with PFAS chemicals.
Most PFAS chemicals (including PFOA and PFOS) do not break down, so they remain in the environment. Landfill leachate typically contains varying levels of PFAS chemicals as Municipal Waste Landfills are the final resting place for many products that have PFAS chemicals (consumer products). The leachate from the Arbor Hills Landfill contains PFAS chemicals and is drained through the Northville Township sanitary sewers to the Yspilantiy Community Utility Authority (YCUA) before being discharged into the Lower Rouge River.
Because of their widespread use and their persistence in the environment, PFAS are found in the blood of people and animals all over the world and are present at low levels in a variety of food products and in the environment. Some PFAS can build up in people and animals with repeated exposure over time.
Many scientific articles have been published about PFAS exposure and health effects. While it is difficult to show that substances directly cause health conditions in humans, scientific studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals. More research is needed to better understand the health effects of PFAS exposure.
New kinds of PFAS are being developed. Some of these may have properties similar to the existing PFAS, and some may be less persistent in the environment. There are very few scientific studies on new PFAS, so more research is necessary to discover whether they may be a health concern.
Municipal Waste Landfills have become a source of PFAS chemicals due to the widespread use of these materials in our society. It is important that potential leachate releases from these landfills are closely controlled and monitored to prevent PFAS chemicals from leaching from their final resting place.