Toxic chemicals now found in ocean spray

We think of the beach as the place you go to escape from cities and stress. It’s where we can see nature in its most raw and elemental form. But a recent study has found that ocean spray actually contains surprisingly high levels of PFAS, a class of toxic chemical. 

According to the study’s author, “There is evidence that the ocean can be an important source [of PFAS air emissions]. It is definitely impacting the coastline.”

On the face of it, it seems hard to believe that something as clean and refreshing as ocean spray could ever contain man-made chemicals. But after decades of being used in a huge range of consumer products, PFAS chemicals are having equally wide-ranging environmental effects. 

How PFAS chemicals get into the ocean

PFAS are a class of chemicals used in plastics and stain-resistant products, as well as all sorts of other everyday items like non-stick pans and grease-resistant bags. Some types of fertilizer also include PFAS, which can in turn leech into the soil or even the water. That’s one of the reasons PFAS have turned up in the ocean. 

In fact, PFAS exposure is so common that it frequently appears in people’s blood or even breast milk. 

PFAS are often called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down naturally. Once released into the environment, PFAS can stick around for thousands of years. These chemicals gained widespread use because of their durability and resistance to wear, traits we are now finding contribute to their accumulation in the environment and an ongoing toxic threat. 

The risks of toxic “forever chemicals” 

We’re only beginning to scratch the surface of the health effects PFAS have on humans. Studies have already linked PFAS to cancer, liver damage and reproductive problems. The EPA has declared that no amount of PFAS exposure can be considered safe. 

We don’t want to trade our health and the health of our environment for the convenience of stain-resistant carpet or non-stick pans. Rather, we need action to stop the continued use of these chemicals. 

How we can stop further PFAS accumulation in the environment 

The best time to stop producing PFAS would have been before we started, but the second best time is right now. If we work now to limit PFAS, we can prevent any additional chemicals from getting into our oceans and bodies. 

Already, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making new clean water standards designed to keep PFAS out of the environment, and some states and companies have discontinued certain high-PFAS products. 

But despite all this progress, we have only stopped a small fraction of the sources of PFAS pollution. We will have to work a lot harder if we want to protect ourselves from these toxic chemicals. 

We are leading the fight to keep PFAS out of our soil, air and water. Want to help?

Tell the EPA to ban PFAS-laced fertilizer so that our ocean and our food will be clean and pure.