Keith Hawkins, Sa’Dae Cooper, Jada Parker, Nadia Harris 

Dr. Shea

CODES 120

25 October 2024

Multimodal Composition #2

Water is a crucial aspect of life and should be equally accessible to everyone. The Mississippi River in particular is a key and vital water source for the United States and, most importantly, the Midwest region. It runs through the country and multiple states, and it’s an important water supply for many humans, animals, businesses and communities. Many rely on the Mississippi River as an important source for things such as transportation, drinking water, and a use of nutrients and food for animals and humans. However, water contamination and waste can cause many problems for the surrounding communities by the river.

Does The Mississippi River Run Through Illinois – Aboutriver.com November 18, 2023, by Raymond Strasser. 

Water contamination is when harmful substances such as chemicals contaminate a stream, river, lake, or body of water (Youtube Video ). This can be toxic to humans, animals, and the surrounding environment. Water contamination can occur through different things such as sewage waste, pollution, environmental changes, atmosphere deposition, water waste, pesticides, bacteria, industrial discharge, and PFAs, the last of these which will be a focus of this paper. Water contamination is a significant threat and challenge to the states surrounding the Mississippi River and specfically a major threat to the southern Illinois community and their environment.

The direct driver for water contamination in the southern Illinois area is PFAs. PFAs,also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are chemicals that are man-made. PFAs are found in water, air, fish, and soil, and are also found in many consumer, industrial, and commercial brands and products Youtube Video.Being exposed to certain levels of PFAs can cause dangerous and harmful health effects that can hurt the livelihood of humans and animals. According to the Illinois Department Of Public Health, “Exposure to high levels of PFAs in drinking water may result in the following health effects such as increased cholesterol levels, changes in liver enzymes, hormone disruption, increased risk for thyroid disease, decreased odds of women becoming pregnant, high blood pressure, mental health issues,  preeclampsia during pregnancy, developmental issues, increased risk of kidney or testicular cancers, and decreased vaccine response in children” (PFAS in Drinking Water). There are many ways humans and animals can be exposed to PFAs. According to Wisconsin Department of Health Service Exposure, drinking contaminated water, consuming fish or animals with high PFA levels, and eating food grown or raised near places that use or make PFAs can all cause health risks and leave long lasting health effects. Production and improper disposal of PFAs can also cause a significant threat to water quality, human health, and animal health. (Chemicals: Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) Substances)

An indirect driver for this system is the reason why PFAs were created in the first place: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl. This chemical was invented in the 1940’s by a well-known chemical company in an attempt to keep dirt and bacteria out of natural water (unep.org). Over time, the chemical can mutate and create harmful bacterias that can hurt humans, plants, and animals. PFAs are all over the water throughout the country and it is almost impossible to avoid drinking water that contains PFAs Youtube Video.

The indirect and direct drivers combined  from the two factors create a causal chain. Indirectly, the PFAs are  the harmful substances put out into the water and continsuly multiply in numbers over time, and taint water throughout the nation. The reasons for putting out PFAs, such as XYZ, and the PFAs themselves are the two driving factors that create a causal chain problem of water contamination in the Mississippi River.

PFA Map Interactive Map: PFAS Contamination Crisis: New Data Show 7,457 Sites in 50 States (ewg.org)

Environmental and governmental agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  play a vital role in regulating water quality in the Mississippi River. They create, enforce, and establish rules and regulations to monitor pollution and contamination that could come from various sources, including industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, sewage, trash, plastic, chemical waste, and PFAs. Through funding and support from other organizations,  they can restore affected areas and improve the water quality.They also promote public awareness campaigns to educate communities and citizens about pollution prevention, water waste,  and accessibility of water, specifically water flowing from the Mississippi River.

Industries, businesses, and manufacturers can also significantly impact the river’s health and be damaging to the surrounding environment. Things such as agriculture and manufacturing businesses and the products they produce, can introduce contaminants and waste to the water. This includes PFAS, but also other contaminants such as fertilizers, chemicals, and pathogens. While some businesses may instill strict regulations and rules due to community pressures and/or legal regulations, others don’t. (Department of health services) Fortunately,  an increasing number of industries and businesses are creating cleaner practices and rules, such as treating wastewater, recycling, and reducing runoff, so they can decrease the environmental impact their business has on the surrounding  community and the Mississippi River. 

As previously mentioned, local authorities such as the EPA, CDC, and most importantly Illinois Department Of Public Health are responsible for monitoring and regulating the water in the southern Illinois region. They are supposed to ensure that communities and businesses have access to clean, healthy, and easily accessible water. Water contamination and water waste are serious issues, as water is used for many things and is a vital source for business, humans, and animals. Having contaminated water or not having access to quality water can have long-lasting effects on consumers. Water is essential for survival and livelihood. 

Works Cited

Berg, Eric. “When is water safe to drink? – Mia Nacamulli.” YouTube, 7 August 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G244Q4AGJ7U. Accessed 9 November 2024.

Chemicals: Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) Substances | Wisconsin Department of Health Services.” Wisconsin Department of Health Services, 10 April 2024, https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/chemical/pfas.htm.  Accessed 9 November 2024.

Crosby, Tim. “$500K SIU study focuses on removing ‘forever chemicals’ from water.” SIU News, 10 September 2024, https://news.siu.edu/2024/09/091024-500k-siu-study-focuses-on-removing-forever-chemicals-from-water.php. Accessed 25 October 2024.

“Dam fails in southern Illinois town after storms hit Midwest, hundreds evacuated.” PBS, 16 July 2024, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/a-dam-is-near-failure-in-southern-illinois-forcing-300-to-evacuate-after-heavy-rains-in-midwest. Accessed 25 October 2024.

“Download PFAS in the Drinking Water Fact Sheet.” Illinois Department of Public Health, https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/private-water/fact-sheets/pfas-drinking-water.html. Accessed 25 October 2024.

Hawthorne, Michael. “Illinois moves to limit forever chemicals contaminating wells.” Chicago Tribune, 8 March 2024, https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/03/08/illinois-pfas-wells/.    Accessed 26 October 2024.

Heller, Marsha. “Water main break leads to boil water orders in several southern Illinois communities.” KFVS12, 18 June 2024, https://www.kfvs12.com/2024/06/18/water-main-break-leads-boil-water-orders-several-southern-illinois-communities/.  Accessed 25 October

Nemeth, Joseph R. “Explained: What are PFAS compounds and how can they affect human health?” YouTube, 18 October 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKg7Mr9M3CQ. Accessed 9 November 2024.

“PFAS Statewide Investigation Network: Community Water Supply Sampling.” Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/water-quality/pfas/pfas-statewide-investigation-network.html. Accessed 25 October 2024.

“Understanding PFAS – What They Are, Their Impact, and What We Can Do.” Penn State Extension, 1 November 2023, https://extension.psu.edu/understanding-pfas-what-they-are-their-impact-and-what-we-can-do. Accessed 25 October 2024.

“Water Quality and Your Health | Drinking Water.” CDC, 16 July 2024, https://www.cdc.gov/drinking-water/about/water-quality-and-your-health.html.  Accessed 26 October 2024. 

“Water Pollution Definition – Types, Causes, Effects.” NRDC, 14 May 2018, https://www.nrdc.org/stories/water-pollution-everything-you-need-know#whatis. Accessed 26 October 2024.