Report finds 'forever chemicals' widespread in U.S. rivers, including Chattahoochee

The Waterkeeper Alliance found PFAS chemicals in 95 out of 114 rivers that they sampled, including in the Chattahoochee.

MIKE GONZALEZ / wikimedia commons

A recent report finds contaminants known as “forever chemicals” in rivers throughout Georgia, as well as around the country. The group of chemicals, called PFAS, are found in waterways, on land – and even in Americans’ bodies.

The chemicals, which have been manufactured since the 1940s and 50s, are used in products including waterproof fabrics, carpet, food packaging, cosmetics, non-stick pans and the firefighting foam used at airports and military bases.

There’s thousands of different kinds of PFAS chemicals. Since they’re widely used and don’t completely break down in the environment, they’ve also become widespread.