Chennai lakes contaminated with 'Forever Chemicals' linked to cancer and liver damage

Alarming levels of 'forever chemicals' that can cause cancer and liver damage have been found in the water of Chennai lakes.

The Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) aka 'forever chemicals' are considered hazardous due to their long-lasting nature and potential health risks, including liver damage and cancer.

As per a study of IIT Madras, Chennai's water contains PFAS concentrations that are approximately 19,400 times higher than the safety levels set by the American Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These chemicals were detected in groundwater near the Perungudi dumpyard, Adyar river, Buckingham Canal, Chembarambakkam lake, and the treated water from the lake.


PFAS do not break down or degrade in the environment. They enter water sources through various sources such as non-stick cookware, food packaging, firefighting foam, waterproof materials, and cosmetics, ultimately contaminating drinking water.

The research identified several types of PFAS in the water samples. For example, groundwater near the Perungudi dumpyard contained 2.72ng/L of perfluoro octane sulfonic acid (PFOS), significantly exceeding the EPA's safe level of 0.02ng/L. Additionally, a sample taken 1km away from the dumpyard registered the highest PFAS concentration of 136.27ng/L of perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), surpassing the EPA safe level of 2,000ng/L.

IIT-M professor Indumathi M Nambi, who led the study, expressed concern over the presence of PFAS in Chennai's water sources. She noted that while PFBS levels were within the safe range, the overall presence of PFAS remained worrisome.

The study also found PFAS in Adyar and Buckingham canal waters due to untreated sewage discharge. Interestingly, PFAS levels were lower downstream in Adyar, where the canal meets Buckingham canal, suggesting dilution effects. Surprisingly, the 'treated' water from Chembarambakkam lake showed higher PFAS levels compared to the raw lake water, indicating that conventional water treatment processes may inadvertently increase PFAS levels.

According to the study, the current water treatment methods do not effectively remove organic chemicals like PFAS. Former NEERI scientist T Swaminathan highlighted the need for additional treatment processes to address PFAS contamination.

Indumathi has urged the government to intervene and establish guidelines for safe PFAS levels and improve water treatment processes. She urged authorities to ban the main sources of PFAS to mitigate further contamination risks.