Investigation of Levels of Perfluorinated Compounds in New Jersey Fish, Surface Water, and Sediment
Date
2019-04-09
Date Removed
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science, Research, and Environmental Health
Abstract
Per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) are used in the manufacture of useful products that
impart stain resistance, water resistance, heat resistance and other desirable properties. PFAS are
also used in various Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFF) that are used in fire-fighting. These
substances are in wide use today, found at industrial sites that use or manufacture them and at
military bases, airports and other areas known for fire-fighting activities. A subset of PFAS,
perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), have fully fluorinated carbon chains as their backbone, and
their extremely strong carbon-fluorine bonds makes them very resistant to degradation. When
released to the environment, PFCs persist indefinitely and can travel distances from their source
in surface water, groundwater, or in the atmosphere. PFAS are considered “emerging
contaminants” because additional information on their presence and toxicity to ecosystems and
humans continues to become available.
The Division of Science, Research and Environmental Health (DSREH) performed an initial
assessment of 13 PFAS, all of which are perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), at 11 waterways
across the state. Fourteen surface water and sediment samples and 94 fish tissue samples were
collected at sites along these waterways. The sites were selected based on their proximity to
potential sources of PFAS and their likelihood of being used for recreational and fishing
purposes. The sampling sites are located within Passaic, Middlesex, Ocean, Burlington,
Gloucester, and Salem Counties.
Description
Originally published June 18, 2018. Revised April 9, 2019.
Keywords
New Jersey, Perfluorinated Compounds, Per- and polyfluorinated substances