Puget Sound is home to a population of 4 million people and many economically and culturally significant industries. The Sound is also a vital habitat for endangered salmon, orcas, and other wildlife. For decades, pollutants from urban runoff, wastewater treatment plants, and other sources have been polluting Puget Sound, and some of these pollutants can have serious effects on human health and the environment.
One type of pollutant that has received a lot of attention in recent years is known as *emerging contaminants*. These contaminants are not typically regulated, but they are known or suspected to have adverse effects on human health or the environment. Emerging contaminants can include pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pesticides, and flame retardants.
Traditional methods for monitoring pollutants in Puget Sound have focused on a limited number of chemicals that are known or suspected to be present. However, these methods are not able to detect all of the emerging contaminants that may be present in the Sound.
A new technique, known as *non-target analysis*, is able to cast a much wider net for emerging contaminants. This technique uses high-resolution mass spectrometry to identify and measure chemicals in water samples without having to know what chemicals to look for.
Researchers from the University of Washington and King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks have used non-target analysis to identify more than 1,000 emerging contaminants in Puget Sound. Many of these contaminants had never been detected in the Sound before.
The findings of this study have implications for human health and the environment. Some of the emerging contaminants identified in Puget Sound are known to have adverse effects on human health, such as cancer, reproductive problems, and developmental disorders. Other emerging contaminants are known to be toxic to aquatic life.
The study also highlights the need for more research to understand the sources, fate, and effects of emerging contaminants in Puget Sound. This research will help us to develop strategies to reduce the levels of these pollutants in the Sound and protect human health and the environment.
Source: University of Washington
