Peter Gagnon is concerned about the safety of his grandchildren swimming in the St. Marys River near Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., due to potential contamination from decades of chemical run-off originating from the airport. Alongside his neighbor, Rick Gartshore, they are troubled by the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the Pointe Des Chênes area of the city.
PFAS, a group of over 10,000 synthetic chemicals known for their persistence in the environment and resistance to heat, water, and oil, have earned the nickname “forever chemicals” due to their enduring nature. These substances can be found in various products like makeup, takeout containers, non-stick cookware, and waterproof apparel.
Studies have linked exposure to certain PFAS with a range of health issues, including reproductive, developmental, endocrine, liver, kidney, and immunological effects. Notably, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a specific type of PFAS, as potentially carcinogenic to humans.
Airports across Canada historically utilized firefighting foams containing PFAS during training exercises, leading to groundwater contamination in surrounding communities. In North Bay, Ont., PFAS from airport training sites infiltrated Trout Lake, the city’s primary source of drinking water.
Recent tests conducted by Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment revealed elevated levels of PFAS in Trout Lake, surpassing Health Canada’s drinking water guidelines. Efforts are underway to remediate contaminated sites, with the Department of National Defence committing $120 million to address PFAS pollution at North Bay’s airport.
In Sault Ste. Marie, concerns persist over PFAS contamination stemming from a firefighter training site at the airport. Monitoring reports indicate the presence of PFAS in groundwater samples, prompting measures such as the installation of water treatment systems to mitigate the health risks posed by these chemicals.
Private wells near the airport have also been impacted, with some homeowners registering PFAS concentrations exceeding permissible levels. Transport Canada has installed filtration systems in affected properties to address the contamination.
While the City of Sault Ste. Marie assures the safety of its municipal drinking water sourced from Lake Superior, residents like Gagnon and Gartshore emphasize the broader implications of PFAS contamination. They stress the global prevalence of PFAS accumulation in various ecosystems and products, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and remediation efforts to safeguard public health.