A new study involving researchers from Michigan State University has revealed concerning findings on the long-term impact of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance, or PFAS, exposure in communities affected by industrial contamination in drinking water sourced near an abandoned paper mill landfill.

The study, “Elevated per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in tap water and serum in a community near an abandoned paper mill,” is the first biomonitoring study to assess PFAS exposure from contamination linked to a paper mill landfill. It highlights a potentially overlooked source of PFAS contamination and provides useful insights into the persistence of these harmful chemicals in the environment and the human body.

PFAS, widely used for their water- and fire-resistant properties, are manufactured chemicals in many consumer products, including specialty clothing and carpets, nonstick cookware, electronics and food packaging. Many of these chemicals are highly mobile, allowing them to easily migrate through soil, air, plants, surface and groundwater. They break down very slowly and build up in humans, animals and the environment over time, posing severe risks to human and environmental health.