By KEENAN WRIGHT
Many phenomena that we observe in our everyday lives can be explained with scientific concepts. Similarly, many challenges that we observe in areas such as the environment or medicine are addressed using these ideas. The goal of this section is to inform readers on some of these scientific concepts and illustrate the research that is currently being done at Colorado College to address these problems.
In early 2016, The New York Times published a report on perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in ground and surface waters, sparking national concern for drinking water quality. PFAS are man-made chemicals from a family of 5,000 compounds. These compounds are found in aqueous film forming foams.
Aqueous film forming foams have been used for firefighting training at municipal airports, industrial plants, and military bases. PFAS consist of long hydrophobic carbon chains with fluorine atoms attached. They contain different end groups such as sulfurs, phosphorous, and carboxylic acids. Consumption of these compounds have been linked to low birthweights, cancer, and developmental delays in children.
According to Northwestern University, there are currently 40 states that have detected these chemicals in 172 sites. The estimated cost for remediation and clean-up of these chemicals is upwards of $1 trillion, and those effected also require treatment. Aside from these sites, these compounds have transport capabilities and have been found in non-stick cooking items, clothing, and food packaging.
In 2014, the EPA set a health advisory limit of 70 ng/L, parts per trillion for two of these compounds. One analogy for parts per trillion is one drop of water in 1,000 Olympic Swimming pools, which is 660,253 gallons of water. Though the amount may be small, the effects are adverse.
The health advisory level also presents complexities, for multiple reasons: the limit is not the same across the states; the limit is not mandatory, instead it is a recommendation; and the advisory level is only for two out of thousands of these compounds.
As the growing discourse of water quality continues, please read next week’s issue for a closer look at how this problem affects Colorado directly.
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