DOVER — Findings from a 2022 study on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS — but better known as “forever chemicals” — in Delaware surface waters were released by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control on Sept. 24, and called for “prioritized follow-up actions” to be taken on six state waterways.
Red Clay Creek, Hershey Run, Long Branch and Shellpot Creek in New Castle County, and Little River and St. John’s River in Kent County were named in the report as deserving further actions.
“DNREC has resampled or plans to resample sites from these watersheds to verify data collected during the initial study. If results support the initial findings, additional samples within the water body and/or general site area will need to be collected in an attempt to determine the lateral and/or vertical extent of the impact,” the report states. “In some cases, it may be necessary to collect samples from sediment, soil, groundwater, surface water, air and/or aquatic life to fully characterize the impact, and to help determine the source(s) of the contamination so that they can be properly addressed.”
The study involved the collection and analysis of 83 surface water samples from 33 watersheds throughout the state.
DNREC’s intentions, it said in the report, were to identify potential contaminant sources, or source areas within the state and to prioritize future resources to the watersheds that are most impacted by forever chemicals.
Tracking and eliminating these chemicals’ sources to the environment will have a positive impact on water quality and in maintaining healthy communities in Delaware, it continued.
“Understanding the extent of PFAS contamination in Delaware’s surface waters is a critical step toward mitigating the risks associated with these persistent chemicals,” Shawn Garvin, DNREC secretary, said in a release. “This newest study also underscores the need for public knowledge about the vast and complex issue of PFAS contamination. By providing research and information, DNREC empowers Delaware residents to make informed decisions to protect their health and the health of their families.”
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS or forever chemicals include thousands of synthetic chemicals used worldwide in manufacturing, firefighting and consumer products since the 1940s.
According to the state, some toxicological studies have found that exposure to these substances can cause serious health effects, but are considered “emerging contaminants,” a term used by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency.
The EPA defines these contaminants as “substances and microorganisms, including manufactured or naturally occurring physical, chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear materials, which are known or anticipated in the environment, that may pose newly identified or re-emerging risks to human health, aquatic life, or the environment.”
These substances can enter surface water from a variety of sources, according to the state, but not limited to stormwater runoff, industrial discharge or contaminated groundwater discharge.
Once in the water, the forever chemicals are absorbed into the local flora and fauna, and then whatever eats the local flora and fauna, accumulating in greater amounts on up the food chain.
“This not only increases the body burden of the chemicals in the fish themselves, potentially causing impacts, but it also creates an exposure pathway to higher life forms like birds who feed on fish, such as kingfishers, great blue heron, osprey, bald eagles, aquatic mammals like otters and humans through the consumption of contaminated fish,” according to the state.
Additional Delaware-specific PFAS related information, including summaries of ongoing studies and links to completed studies, can be found at de.gov/pfas .
Staff writer Brian Gilliland can be reached at 410-603-3737 or bg@iniusa.org.
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