Forever Chemicals

PFAS Detection, Fate and Transport in Illinois

Melissa Lenczewski, Ph.D.
NIU Professor of Geology and Environmental Geosciences and Director of the NIU Institute for the Study of Environment, Sustainability and Energy

Megan R.M. Brown, Ph.D.
NIU Assistant Professor of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

In 2021, Melissa Lenczewski and Megan Brown, along with Assistant Professor of Chemistry Kevin Tucker, at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), were awarded an Illinois Innovation Network Seed Grant to study the prevalence and movement of "forever chemicals" in Illinois.

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are referred to as "forever chemicals" because of their persistence, widespread distribution in the environment, and potential human-health impacts. Since they were first created in the 1950s, over 6,300 different chemicals have been produced within this class of compounds, with common names such as Teflon, GORE-TEX, water proofing and fire retardants. It is estimated that 98% of all humans have these compounds in their blood, and they are found everywhere in the world.

Because of their ubiquity and human health effects, it's necessary to document where these chemicals are located in Illinois and trace their journey through air, surface waters, soil and groundwater. This joint research project between SIUE and NIU will increase the capabilities for detection of these compounds in soil and water while examining fate and transport of PFAS in sediments found throughout the state of Illinois using laboratory experiments.

In particular, large variations in soil types across the U.S. mean that current EPA testing methods are inadequate to fully study the movement of PFAS compounds as they transition between soil and groundwater reservoirs. This study – which will develop methods applicable to the different soil types found in northern and southern Illinois – will enable scientists to more accurately quantify PFAS in soil, groundwater and surface water so people can better detect and manage these potentially harmful chemicals.