Harnessing Water Fleas to Combat PFAS

wastewater treatment facility with modern architecture, featuring transparent filtration tanks where water fleas (Daphnia) remove pollutants. Scientists in lab coats monitor the purification process

A surprising solution to water pollution has emerged from an unlikely source: the tiny water flea, Daphnia. Researchers at the University of Birmingham have found that these microscopic organisms could transform wastewater treatment by effectively removing persistent pollutants like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pharmaceuticals, and pesticides. This breakthrough offers a sustainable, low-energy alternative to … Read more

The E.P.A. Promoted Toxic Fertilizer for Decades

Farm field with crops fertilized by sewage sludge, wastewater treatment plant in the background, warning sign about PFAS contamination.

For decades, the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) has encouraged the use of sewage sludge as fertilizer, a practice marketed as sustainable waste management. However, evidence reveals that this sludge, often laden with toxic PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” contaminates farmland, food, and water sources nationwide. The origin of these chemicals, their risks, and the … Read more

EPA Adds Nine New “Forever Chemicals” to Inventory

EPA government building with the words "More PFAS Added" written in bold yellow letters.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has expanded its Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) to include nine additional “forever chemicals.” This move is aimed at increasing transparency and helping communities monitor the release of these persistent substances into their environments. What Are Forever Chemicals? Forever chemicals, technically referred to as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are synthetic … Read more

Scientists Find New Source of PFAS in Drinking Water

A swirl of colorful pills and capsules in a clean toilet bowl filled with clear water, symbolizing pharmaceutical contaminants entering water supplies.

A recent study has uncovered a concerning link between wastewater treatment plants and the contamination of drinking water with persistent “forever chemicals.” These substances, primarily associated with prescribed drugs and industrial pollutants, may be exposing millions of Americans to potential health risks as conventional treatment methods fail to eliminate them. Moreover, climate change is exacerbating … Read more

“EPA Not Doing Enough” Says Camp Lejeune Survivors

A detailed map of Camp Lejeune highlighting specific contaminated sites and buildings linked to PFAS exposure.

This week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned two chemicals associated with cancer. However, environmental activists and those impacted by toxic exposure are urging more comprehensive measures. Retired Marine Corps Master Sergeant Jerry Ensminger, a vocal advocate for addressing chemical contamination, emphasized the EPA’s need for additional support to combat “forever chemicals.” Speaking on NewsNation … Read more

Virginia Starts Digging in to PFAS Sources

Map of Virginia showing locations where PFAS contamination has been detected, marked with symbols.

Virginia’s water regulators are taking significant steps to address the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or “forever chemicals,” in drinking water. The effort, mandated by recent state legislation, aims to identify and assess sources of these chemicals after regulatory limits were exceeded in 28 water systems statewide. The systems serve roughly 2.29 million … Read more

USGS Estimates PFAS in Groundwater Risks 70 Million

Map showing probability of PFAS contamination in groundwater across the contiguous United States, color-coded from low (blue) to high (red) probability, as predicted by USGS.

According to a recent U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) report, over 70 million people across the contiguous United States may be consuming water from sources contaminated by PFAS chemicals, a group of synthetic compounds linked to health risks. This analysis is the first national estimate of PFAS presence in untreated groundwater supplying both public and private … Read more

Gore-Tex Jackets Are Poisoning The Well, Literally

Yellow waterproof jacket with skull image displayed inside a rain chamber, testing PFAS shedding.

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS or “forever chemicals,” are a group of over 15,000 synthetic chemicals designed to resist breaking down, both in the environment and in human bodies. Originally developed in the 1940s, PFAS compounds have been widely used for their remarkable nonstick, waterproof, and stain-resistant properties. But in recent years, as … Read more

Report: Global PFAS Contamination in Bottled Water

Various global bottled water brands on a grocery store shelf with invisible contaminant overlay.

A comprehensive new report published in ACS ES&T Water reveals that 99% of bottled water brands worldwide contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), widely known as “forever chemicals.” This startling figure highlights a pervasive contamination issue, challenging assumptions that bottled water provides a purer alternative to tap water. PFAS are synthetic chemicals valued for their … Read more

Toxic Sludge Threats America’s Food Chain

A large pile of food covered in toxic sludge, with a mixture of spoiled fruits, vegetables, and meat symbolizing food contamination.

An unsettling revelation is shaking the foundations of American agriculture. For decades, a government-endorsed fertilizer has quietly poisoned farmlands with hazardous chemicals, threatening both farmers and the broader food chain. A new investigation has uncovered that municipal sewage, commonly referred to as “black sludge” and widely used as fertilizer, contains dangerous levels of PFAS, a … Read more