Forever Chemicals in Our Backyard

Forever Chemicals in Our Backyard: What Canadians Need to Know About PFAS Hotspots

They’re invisible, toxic, and alarmingly persistent — and they’re showing up in our water, food, and even our blood. Known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a class of synthetic compounds that don’t break down easily in the environment. And now, thanks to a new CBC interactive map, Canadians can see just how close to home the problem really is.

What Are PFAS and Why Should We Care?
PFAS are used in everything from non-stick cookware and water-repellent clothing to firefighting foams and food packaging. But their durability comes at a cost: they accumulate in the environment and in our bodies, and have been linked to health issues like cancer, liver damage, and immune system disruption.

Mapping the Risk Across Canada
CBC’s newly released interactive tool — https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/features/2025/pfas-canada-map/ — reveals dozens of locations across the country where PFAS contamination has been detected, from military bases and airports to industrial sites and landfills. The map is a wake-up call for communities, especially those relying on groundwater or living near known contamination zones.

Bookmark This Map
This isn’t a one-and-done snapshot. The CBC has committed to updating the map as new testing data and contamination sites are identified. It’s a living resource — one worth bookmarking and revisiting as the story of PFAS in Canada continues to unfold.

What’s Being Done?
While Canada has guidelines for PFAS in drinking water, they vary by province and are not yet enforceable nationwide. Health Canada’s drinking water summary outlines microbiological and chemical parameters for safe drinking water, but PFAS regulation remains a patchwork. Meanwhile, labs like CARO Analytical Services are stepping up testing efforts, helping water professionals across B.C. and Alberta monitor contamination.

Treatment Methods for PFAS Removal
According to the CBC article, the most effective treatment methods for PFAS include:

• Activated Carbon Filtration – Often used in whole-house systems to trap PFAS molecules.

• Ion Exchange Resins – These systems swap PFAS ions with harmless ones, effectively removing them from water.

• Reverse Osmosis (RO) – Highly effective for PFAS, especially in under-sink or point-of-use systems.
  
  

What Can You Do?

• Check the map to see if your area is affected.
• Get your water tested if you live near a hotspot or rely on a private well.
• Advocate for stronger regulations and cleanup efforts.
• Reduce your exposure by avoiding products with PFAS (look for “fluoro” or “PTFE” on labels).

As Canadians, we pride ourselves on clean water and pristine wilderness. But the reality of forever chemicals challenges us to take a closer look — and take action. Because when it comes to PFAS, what we can’t see can still hurt us.

The bulk of this post is based on the CBC article in the link above.