The chemicals used in firefighting foam, Teflon, stain-resistant carpet, outdoor sports apparel, and even the lining of your movie theater’s popcorn bags, are everywhere. Since they were first developed in the 1950s, they’ve become so widely used that traces of them have been found in the most remote regions of the globe, and in the blood of over 99% of the U.S. population. They’re correlated with several types of cancer, and are believed to disrupt hormone balance and be particularly harmful to young, developing children. Locally, they’ve been a hot topic because unhealthy levels of the chemical have been found in the groundwater of communities just south of Colorado Springs: Fountain, Widefield and Security.
Learn all about PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds, sometimes called PFCs) in this fascinating presentation by Dr. Eli Fahrenkrug – Assistant Professor of Analytical and Materials Chemistry at Colorado College. Fahrenkrug, along with Dr. Tyler Cornelius, launched and runs the Fountain Valley Water Project, the first non-profit, non-partisan research group entirely focused on PFAS water quality in Southern Colorado.
CC chemistry student Keenan Wright, who played a significant role in the launch, also shares about the water analysis and data collection project he’s handling (people in affected areas can get their water tested by the team for free).
The Water Quality goal from Looking to Our Future: Pikes Peak Region 2030 (2012): ”Ground and surface water quality is better than designated water quality standards that are in place to protect classified uses (recreation, aquatic life, agriculture, water supply,and wetlands).”
This presentation was made at the monthly Sustainability in Progress (SIP) event on March 20th, 2019. Sustainability in Progress is a monthly program of the Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future. Join us (free) the third Wednesday of every month 7:30-9:00 a.m. in the Wildcat Room at the Ivywild School. Coffee and pastries are provided.
LINKS:
The Lawyer Who Became DuPont’s Worst Nightmare
(2016 New York Times story)
Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water Leave Military Families Reeling
(2/19 New York Times story)
The Devil We Know
(Documentary about PFAS)
Why We Can’t Run from PFAS Chemicals
UPCOMING ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS:
Friday, April 26
Mile High Youth Corps
Providing lifetime skills for youth in the arenas of energy conservation and trail building
Pikes Peak Environmental Forum
Noon to 2 pm, Margarita at Pine Creek (Please RSVP)
About Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future
The mission of Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future is to promote regional sustainability and advance the Pikes Peak region’s sustainability plan (PPR2030) through regional collaboration and outreach.
The following environment/sustainability organizations in the Pikes Peak region collaborate to produce the Peak Environment podcast about environmental stewardship, sustainable living and enlightened public policy in the Pikes Peak Region.
Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future
Pikes Peak Environmental Forum
Pikes Peak Library District Green Team
Keep up with all the organizations and events making our area a better place to live. Subscribe (free) on your favorite podcast app so you don’t miss an episode:
