Read the full article by Vivian La (Interlochen Public Radio).
“The study published this spring in the Journal of Environmental Quality analyzed 42 years of studies and combined nearly 2,500 samples of algae, fish, birds and other organisms — in what’s called a meta-analysis — to identify trends.
PFAS refers to a group of man-made and long-lasting compounds linked to a range of human health issues. It can enter waterways through landfills, wastewater and industrial facilities.
‘What we’re finding is that the food web itself is a vehicle for transferring these chemicals from one organism to another,’ said Gary Lamberti, aquatic science professor at Notre Dame and a study co-author. ‘So it’s a more holistic view than we’ve known before.’
The study identified a dramatic decrease over the last two decades of one PFAS chemical known as PFOS, following a voluntary phase out by industries in the early 2000s.”…