FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dolores Parker, manager of communications
Email: dolores@womenforahealthyenvironment.org
Phone: 941-735-2547
WOMEN FOR A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT TO UNVEIL REPORT REVEALING DETECTABLE PFAS CONTAMINATION IN PITTSBURGH’S RIVERS LINKED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT EFFLUENT
The report’s comprehensive insights will be discussed in detail at a PFAS Lunch and Learn webinar scheduled for today, January 8, 2024, 1-2 pm.
PITTSBURGH, PA January 8, 2024 – Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) reveals concerning findings from a study examining PFAS contamination in Pittsburgh’s rivers. The report focuses on three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Allegheny County, strategically selected for their direct discharge into the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers.
PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” are synthetic compounds associated with various health risks, including compromised immune function, cancers, reproductive and developmental issues, thyroid disease, and more.
WHE’s study emphasizes the urgent need for action, as PFAS persist in the environment, entering waterways through industrial and consumer product use. Recent studies estimate that 45% of tap water in the U.S. contains detectable levels of at least one PFAS.
Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis, WHE executive director, Morgan Suntken, WHE environmental health fellow and report author, as well as Jess Friss, Three Rivers Water Keeper will delve into the report’s discoveries, their implications for the community, and share valuable recommendations.
Online link to the PFAS Lunch and Learn webinar scheduled for today, January 8, 2024, 1-2 pm. The online link is here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84391553278?pwd=MWY5c3ZsMGxKbm0vMkxyMXUyanJiZz09
Passcode: 006542
The primary goal of this study was to examine the impact of municipal wastewater systems on PFAS
contamination in our waterways. By collecting samples from upstream outfalls and mixing zones, where
wastewater undergoes initial dilution with the stream, WHE aimed to understand the contribution of WWTPs to PFAS levels in ambient surface water. “Our findings underscore the urgency of testing wastewater influent and effluent to grasp the full extent of PFAS contamination,” says Morgan Suntken, WHE environmental health fellow and lead researcher.
The study uncovered a concerning trend – PFAS levels were notably elevated in mixing zones, indicating
wastewater discharge continuously pollutes waterways, as treatment plants are not designed to remove PFAS.
In addition, the study underscores PFAS as a critical environmental justice concern, with wastewater and
industrial facilities disproportionately located in low-income and minority communities.
“This study reinforces the critical need for preventative action and comprehensive testing to protect our
waterways,” said Michelle Naccararati-Chapkis, WHE executive director.
For more information and access to the full report, visit https://womenforahealthyenvironment.org/policy/reports/
The PFAS policy brief is located here: https://womenforahealthyenvironment.org/pfas-per-and-poly-fluoroalkyl- substances/
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About WHE:
WHE is a non-profit organization that empowers underserved communities to build resilience, promote equity, and safeguard children from environmental health hazards. We collaborate with families, schools, and early learning centers to create healthy environments where children can flourish. Guided by science, we advocate for policies and programs that foster equitable lives free from environmental harms.
About 3RWK:
Three Rivers Waterkeeper (3RWK) was founded in 2009 and aims to improve and protect the water quality of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers. These waterways are critical to the health, vitality, and economic prosperity of our region and communities. 3RWK is both a scientific and legal advocate for the community, working to ensure our three rivers are protected and safe to drink, fish, swim and enjoy.
