Protect Your Shoreline With An Itasca Waters Shoreland Advisor

PFAS in Water: How did they get there and why are they so challenging? 

Presented by: Dr. Bridget Ulrich grew up on the Iron Range in Virginia, MN. Prior to joining NRRI she worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) in Zurich, Switzerland. She is currently a Principal Research Scientist and leads a research team focused on Environmental Chemistry at University of MN Duluth. Her team specializes in the application of advanced analytical techniques to track contaminants in the environment, as well as the development of water treatment solutions to prevent pollution at the source.

PFAS, often referred to as "forever chemicals," are unlike any other harmful environmental contaminants that we have faced before. Once they enter the environment they don't fully degrade and they spread quickly through water and air. This has allowed them to contaminate pristine waters in remote regions, including the middle of Lake Superior. And to add to the challenge, PFAS are more than just PFOS and PFOA - there are thousands of PFAS, including "precursors" that can transform into PFOS or PFOA once they enter the environment. This presentation will highlight recent work evaluating PFAS in Lake Superior, challenges and emerging solutions for PFAS monitoring and treatment, and a perspective on what people and agencies can do to help address the problem.

*** We hope through our Water Wisdom series you will be inspired each month to think about water in a new way.