CAMDEN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — A new report has revealed PFAS, so-called “forever chemicals,” have been found in nearly every body of water tested, including those in our region.
Chemicals used to make non-stick pans, firefighting foam and all sorts of other products were found in the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, Wissahickon Creek, and bodies of water all over the country, according to a report from the group Environment America.
Out of 1,602 locations tested nationwide, PFAS were found in 83%. More than 40 different compounds were detected in 95.5% of Pennsylvania waterways while 20 different types were found in 90.7% of New Jersey’s bodies of water.
At a press conference Wednesday in Camden, Environment New Jersey director Doug O’Malley said these chemicals have been found in unexpected rural places, far removed from old factories, like in Carney’s Point.
“Wherever you are in the state, we found PFAS in our surface waters. And then it wasn’t just one type of PFAS. As many as 20 different PFAS compounds were detected,” he said.
“The findings from today’s report represent the tip of a toxic iceberg because many of New Jersey and Pennsylvania’s waterways have yet to be tested at all,” added Stephanie Wein, a water and conservation advocate for PennEnvironment.
O’Malley, Wein and others have urged lawmakers to take action and ban PFAS as a category, rather than each individual compound that is found.
