3M is Contaminating Mississippi With ‘Forever Chemicals’
Recently, new evidence has been found of a chemical company called 3M polluting the Mississippi river with waste toxins from its chemical plant in Cordova. According to the QC Times, “Illinois state officials allege that for years 3M improperly disposed of waste containing toxic "forever chemicals," contaminating the Mississippi River, residential wells and ground and surface waters at and near its Cordova facility, according to a recent lawsuit.” This brings on environmental health concerns by nearby citizens, as the perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) pollute the waters, and since the Mississippi river is the primary source of water for residents, pollution can cause major health effects. According to the National Library of Medicine, “PFAS are highly persistent and mobile, concerns have been raised about the ecological and human health impacts of PFAS exposures.”
This shows that PFAS have most definitely traveled down the Mississippi river and can cause health effects, concerning locals. According to Janet Forinash, when questioned on the matter, “It’s disappointing, I recognize that 3M is a business, and it makes good products that we use, a lot of people in this country use, at the same time, any company needs to be held by ethical standards for the sake of the environment and everyone’s health.” In conclusion, PFAS can be useful, but must be contained.