PFAS Found in Highest Altitude Samples on Mt. Everest

Because “forever chemicals” are all human made, it’s easy to believe that their reach would only extend to areas where humans frequent. However, even some of the most remote locations on the planet aren’t safe from PFAS contamination, as “forever chemicals” have reached Mt. Everest. 

In a 2020 study, called Deposition of PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ on Mt. Everest, PFAS were found in snow and meltwater on from below the Base Camp to the Balcony on Mt. Everest. “Mt. Everest, one of the most coveted climbing mountains on earth, also contains the highest altitude chemical contamination on land. For the first time, meltwater and snow samples from Mt. Everest’s Khumbu Glacier were analyzed for “forever chemicals” per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)…The highest concentrations found were 26.14 ng/L and 10.34 ng/L PFOS at Base Camp and Camp 2, respectively. However, PFAS species were seen within 1–2 orders of magnitude in all sampling sites with detection, potentially suggesting a widespread presence on the mountain. Our samples are the highest altitude PFAS samples ever retrieved and indicate the need for further sampling both on Mt. Everest and in the below-glacier watershed”.

The graph below is from the study and shows which type of PFAS were found at each sampling site.

For the full research study, click here.