WHAT THE EVIDENCE SAYS
Six sampling rounds in 2019–2020 at fifty-four sites found no results above reporting limits for any of thirty targeted PFAS at nine sites. Sixteen analytes were never reported across all sites; PFOS was more prevalent nearer major cities.
WHY IT MATTERS / OUR READ
Evidence for null detections matters, but detecting or failing to detect a chemical is a function of analytical limits, time, location and compound coverage.
CAVEATS / UNCERTAINTY
Non-detection is not chemical absence; only thirty compounds were targeted, thresholds varied, and many inland waterways were not sampled.
SOURCE
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment — Baddiley et al. (2026)
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