Monitoring Polyfluoroalkyl (PFA) Contamination in Fish in Broughton Archipelago and Surrounding Waters

Understanding PFAS or "Forever Chemicals"

Polyfluroalkyl substances or PFAS are a family of over 4700 diverse chemicals characterised by having strong carbon-fluorine bonds which are resistant to degradation. As a result, they can accumulate over time and travel long distances without breaking down, hence their nickname “Forever Chemicals”. 

PFAS have been used since the 1930s for their ability to repel oil and water. They have been mass-produced in a variety of forms but are most commonly used in textiles, cosmetics, cookware, food packaging, and electronics.

PFAS are documented to pose health concerns to both humans and wildlife. They can be found in varying concentrations in the air, surface and groundwater, oceans, soil, and more. As of 2024, the government of Canada has not identified a method for decontamination.

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About the Project

Salmon Coast is working in collaboration with the Trace Lab of Trent University to engage communities in monitoring the presence of PFAS in their aquatic environments, particularly in regions where fish hold significant cultural value.

We aim to provide communities with knowledge and agency surrounding the potential contamination of their food sources. Data will be directly reported back to the community. Information from these reports can be provided in a variety of formats suitable to diverse accessibility needs. 

Get Involved

For additional information about Trace Labs and other PFA monitoring initiatives across Canada contact maryclairebuell@trentu.ca

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Find out more about our work by checking out our regular reports and related publications

Check out our sea lice reports for each year, which provide detailed information on the year's monitoring findings.

View our complete list of publications for many more articles based on sea lice research conducted at Salmon Coast.

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