'Forever chemicals" detected in all surface water tested in Delaware

PFAS were found throughout the state's surface water. The chemicals may cause cancer but their full  impact has yet to be determined. 

One of the widely reported  sources of PFAs comes from airport  firefighting chemical foam with concentrations found around the Wilmington Airport and Dover Air Force Base.

DuPont and 3M produced the chemicals, which were used in the production of many products and technologies.

PFAs have been around for several decades, with the federal government and states deallng with concentrations found in wells, surface and wastewater.

The  Delaware study, conducted in the fall of 2022, involved the collection and analysis of 83 surface water samples from 33 watersheds throughout the state. The study summarizes and presents analytical results used to evaluate existing concentrations of PFAS and prioritize future actions to address areas of the state most impacted.

“Understanding the extent of PFAS contamination in Delaware’s surface waters is a critical step toward mitigating the risks associated with these persistent chemicals,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “This newest study also underscores the need for public knowledge about the vast and complex issue of PFAS contamination. By providing research and information, DNREC empowers Delaware residents to make informed decisions to protect their health and the health of their families.”

The study was conducted by the DNREC Watershed Approach to Toxics Assessment and Restoration (WATAR) team, comprising experts from several DNREC divisions.

It reveals the presence of PFAS at varying concentrations in every sample collected. This baseline information will help state scientists track surface water PFAS concentration trends in the future.

“Once the data were plotted and viewed together, several obvious anomalies stood out, either due to the magnitude of the concentrations, or to the family group fingerprints,” said John Cargill, hydrologist for the DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship.

The data summary report identifies the following water bodies/watersheds as deserving of prioritized follow-up actions:

• Red Clay Creek (New Castle County)
• Hershey Run (New Castle County)
• Long Branch (New Castle County)
• Shellpot Creek (New Castle County)
• Little River (Kent County)
• St. Jones River (Kent County)

“DNREC is already taking actions to determine the extent of potential impacts and to identify potential sources,” said WATAR team hydrologist Todd Keyser. “Additional studies are underway in the northern part of the state and in the Little River watershed, among others.”

Follow-up actions in other watersheds will include resampling to verify the data collected during this study, and review of any data collected nearby during other DNREC studies. If elevated concentrations of PFAS are confirmed, then additional samples will be collected within the affected water bodies, general site areas, or within the broader watersheds.

Additional Delaware-specific PFAS related information, including summaries of ongoing studies and links to completed studies, can be found at de.gov/pfas. Additional information about DNREC’s WATAR program can be found at de.gov/watar.