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Study finds "forever chemicals" in some Georgia waterways

gpbnews.org

So called “forever chemicals” have been detected in several Georgia rivers according to a new report.

Those chemicals, generally known as PFAS, do not break down in nature and have been linked to serious health conditions. The chemicals have been used for years in a host of products including nonstick pans, clothing, carpets and food wrappers.

As a part of their survey, the Waterkeeper Alliance tested 114 waterways across 34 states and Washington. Georgia tied for second with North Carolina for the most individual locations testing positive for PFAS with 18. Only Maryland turned up more sites with evidence of contamination.

The group took samples directly from rivers, not from purified drinking water and group found that 83% of surface waters tested contained traces of least one PFAS.