Ocean waves emit more PFAS into air than industrial polluters: study

A new research study has found that ocean waves crashing on the world's shores emit more per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into the air than industrial polluters. The study measured levels of PFAS released from the bursting bubbles when waves crash, spraying aerosols into the air, and found that the sea spray levels were hundreds of thousands of times higher than levels in the water. The contaminated spray likely affects groundwater, surface water, vegetation, and agricultural products near coastlines far from industrial sources of PFAS. The lead author, Ian Cousins from Stockholm University, stated that the evidence suggests the ocean can be an important source of PFAS air emissions, impacting coastal areas. (The Guardian)