Estuarine sediments overlain with photos of products that contribute PPCPs and PFASs to the estuarine environment, including: 1) medical tablets and capsules, 2) personal care product dispensers, 3) firefighting foams, 4) coatings for non-stick cookware, 5) stain-resistant chemicals in carpeting, and 6) grease-resistant and waterproof coatings in food packaging.

PPCP & PFAS Concentrations in Puget Sound Sediments

by Ecology's Marine Sediment Monitoring Team

There are two photos of Ecology staff conducting sediment monitoring fieldwork in Puget Sound. The upper photo shows staff deploying the vanVeen grab from the back of the RV Skookum. The lower photo shows staff collecting sediment from the interior of the vanVeen grab.

Sediment sampling in Puget Sound

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemicals found in manufactured products used world-wide. PPCPs are used for personal health and well-being, and for the care of domestic pets and agricultural livestock. PFAS have high surfactant and nonstick properties, and are used in the manufacture of industrial and personal products such as cookware, clothing, carpeting, food packaging, and fire-fighting foams.

After use, residual chemicals from these products are excreted, washed down the drain, or disposed of, and released into the environment without regulation or monitoring, with unknown impacts to ecological and human health. They are considered  Contaminants of Emerging Concern , and have been detected in the waters, sediments, and biota of Puget Sound.

 Ecology’s Marine Sediment Monitoring Team  measured the concentrations of 118 PPCPs and 24 PFAS in Puget Sound sediments from 2010 to 2019 to gain understanding of their distribution Sound-wide.

Use the interactive dashboard, below, to summarize and map the results for each chemical from our study, compare concentrations between locations, and understand the data characteristics and qualifiers.

Click on the blue box in the upper right corner of the dashboard to open it in a new window.

Sediment sampling in Puget Sound