PFAS are turning up in the Great Lakes, putting fish and water supplies at risk – here’s how they get there

PFAS are now found in all of the Great Lakes, including Lake Superior, pictured. Mario Dias/iStock/Getty Images Plus

No matter where you live in the United States, you have likely seen headlines about PFAS being detected in everything from drinking water to fish to milk to human bodies.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of over 10,000 synthetic chemicals. They have been used for decades to make products waterproof and stain- and heat-resistant – picture food wrappers, stain-resistant carpet, rain jackets and firefighting foam.