Dec 29, 2017

Estuary News writer Kristine Wong interviewed SFEI’s Meg Sedlak, lead scientist on the latest RMP study to be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, to learn more about the problems associated with a persistent class of fluorinated contaminants known as PFASs.

According to RMP data, one particularly troublesome member of this chemical family, PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate), has begun to decline in bird eggs and harbor seals following a nationwide phase-out. However, other members of this class of 3,000 non-stick, water and stain repelling chemicals are sticking around in San Francisco Bay water, sediment, and wildlife.

RMP findings are informing state-level efforts to understand the potential concerns linked to PFASs and steer manufacturers towards greener alternatives. Meanwhile, the RMP is finalizing a synthesis of Bay data and a strategy for future investigations of this class of compounds.

Source: 
Non-sticks Stick Around
By: 
Kristine Wong
Programs and Focus Areas: 
Clean Water Program
Bay Regional Monitoring Program
Contaminants of Emerging Concern
Key Materials: 
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in San Francisco Bay wildlife: Temporal trends, exposure pathways, and notable presence of precursor compounds