PFAS Contamination Exposure in the Great Lake Areas (April 6, 2025)
About the Map
Since the 1940s, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been widely used for their resistance to heat, oil, water, and stains. However, these chemicals are now recognized for their persistence in the environment and their potential to harm human health. As of today, PFAS contamination has been reported at more than 2,230 sites across 49 U.S. states, including military facilities and drinking water systems.
This project provides the first comprehensive evaluation of PFAS exposure from environmental sources and the effectiveness of state-level mitigation policies in the Great Lakes region. Our analysis focuses on communities in Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania—areas with elevated PFAS levels and active regulatory efforts. We aim to assess community-level PFAS risks based on four main exposure pathways: industrial emissions, drinking water contamination, recreational water use, and seafood consumption. Each ZIP code will be assigned a risk level—minimal, low, moderate, high, or severe—for each pathway, culminating in an integrated community PFAS risk profile.
Industrial Exposure: We measure exposure based on the number of known emission facilities and total PFAS emissions per capita. Sources include Superfund sites, airports, fire training locations, military bases, and manufacturing plants. Facility data comes from the EPA’s TRI database and state-specific resources, with emissions estimated from literature where direct data is unavailable.
Drinking Water Exposure: We assess PFAS levels in public water systems based on PFOA and PFOS concentrations. Data is sourced from the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team, New York Department of Health, and Pennsylvania DEP. We compute ZIP code-level exposure by overlaying drinking water service boundaries with ZIP boundaries.
Recreational Exposure: Using Spectus cellphone mobility data, we evaluate ZIP-level visitation to lakes and rivers with documented PFAS pollution. Water quality data is compiled from the EPA’s Water Quality Portal and environmental agencies in MI, NY, and PA.
Seafood Consumption Exposure: We estimate exposure based on ZIP-level seafood consumption from Nielsen survey data. PFAS levels in common seafood species is used, informed by findings such as Barbo et al. (2023), to infer total dietary exposure despite limited origin tracking.
By integrating these risk factors, our study offer valuable insights into the geographic distribution of PFAS vulnerability, enabling more targeted and equitable environmental health interventions.