Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) — The Albuquerque urban area “significantly contributes PFAS to the Rio Grande.” Those findings from two recent studies by the U.S. Geological Survey, done in cooperation with the New Mexico Environment Department. PFAS, frequently called “forever chemicals,” are a group of synthetic chemicals used in a wide variety of common items, such as firefighting foams, non-stick cookware and fast-food packaging. Researchers found that PFAS levels were approximately 10 times higher in the river downstream of the urban area compared to upstream locations. Some sources seemed to be from treated wastewater being released into the river. Others may have been from stormwater washing PFAS off streets and other surfaces in the Albuquerque area when it rained.
