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Emerging Contaminants (RMP Workgroup)

Scanning the Horizon for New Concerns

The RMP fills critical science needs for stakeholders working to reduce harmful emerging contaminants in San Francisco Bay. Emerging contaminants are unregulated or under-regulated and harm human or ecological health. Early identification of toxic contaminants and quick action to prevent their spread is a cost-effective approach to protect water quality.
 

jogging near the Bay

Priorities for a Healthy Bay

The RMP’s decades-long effort has made the Bay one of the most thoroughly studied estuaries in the world. Diligent surveillance using state-of-the-art techniques has identified emerging contaminants of high concern for the Bay:

  • PFAS: persistent, fluorine-rich, stain and water-repelling “forever chemicals” that are widely used in industrial and consumer products
  • Organophosphate Esters: flame retardants and ingredients in plastics

RMP monitoring and science on emerging contaminants directly informs legislation and regulations to reduce use of toxic chemicals that can escape into the environment and harm people or wildlife.

Spotlight on Recent Work

  • Stormwater sampling

    New Focus on Stormwater

     

    A major multi-year RMP study revealed the critical role of urban stormwater runoff as a path for emerging contaminants to reach aquatic ecosystems. We developed a first-of-its-kind dataset demonstrating the importance of this underexplored pathway. Within the global scientific community, the RMP is at the forefront of advancing this new understanding of stormwater.

  • Fishing in the Bay

    Bay Burdened by PFAS

     

    RMP monitoring revealed widespread PFAS in the Bay. These contaminants are toxic and don’t break down over time. Levels in Bay water may not pose risks to wildlife, but do suggest concern for people who eat fish from the Bay. The state of California has begun to restrict PFAS in products to reduce harmful exposures, including clothes and textiles, carpets and rugs, cosmetics, children’s products, paper-based food packaging, and firefighting foams.

Science Advisors

The scientific advisory panel for the Bay RMP Emerging Contaminants Workgroup consists of internationally renowned experts:

 

Arnold
Bill Arnold, University of Minnesota (UMN)
Photo: Merry Rendahl, UMN

 

Dr. Miriam Diamond, University of Toronto
Dr. Miriam Diamond, University of Toronto

 

Photo: Duke University
Dr. Lee Ferguson, Duke University
Photo: Duke University

 

 

Dr. Derek Muir, Environment and Climate Change Canada
Dr. Derek Muir, Environment and Climate Change Canada
Photo: Amila De Silva

 

Heather Stapleton
Dr. Heather Stapleton, Duke University

 

Dr. Dan Villenueve, US EPA
Dr. Dan Villenueve, US EPA

 

SFEI Lead Scientist

profile picture
Dr. Rebecca Sutton

For more information, please contact Rebecca Sutton at [email protected].

 

Featured RMP Projects

 

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Latest News

Emerging Contaminants Meetings

Thu, Aug 27 2026, 7 - 8pm

SFEI at Ocean Hoptimism

Wed, Apr 22 2026, 9:30am - Thu, Apr 23 2026, 3:30pm

Bay RMP Emerging Contaminants Workgroup Meeting (9:30am - 3:30pm)

Thu, Apr 24 2025, 9am - 3pm

Bay RMP Emerging Contaminants Workgroup Meeting

Wed, Apr 23 2025, 9am - 3pm

Bay RMP Emerging Contaminants Workgroup Meeting

Wed, Apr 17 2024, 9am - 3pm

Emerging Contaminants Workgroup Meeting (Day 2)

Tue, Apr 16 2024, 9am - 3pm

Emerging Contaminants Workgroup Meeting (Day 1)

 

 

SEE MORE MEETINGS

 

Recent Publications