PFAS Found In Ice Rinks Because Artificial Chillants Are Leaching Into Meltwater Systems

Water Contamination Lawsuit News

Fluorinated Refrigerants Are Becoming Unexpected Sources Of PFAS Pollution As Meltwater Flows Into Public Storm Drains From Indoor And Outdoor Ice Rinks

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 - Ice rinks have long been places where people in the community can have fun, play sports, and enjoy winter activities. But recent research shows that they can also be quietly adding to PFAS pollution. In numerous northern regions, tests have shown that meltwater from both indoor and outdoor rinks includes significant quantities of PFAS. It looks like the problem is synthetic refrigerants and surface coatings used to keep ice clean that have fluorinated substances in them. When rinks clean and resurface the ice, the wastewater, which is called "meltwater runoff," generally goes straight into municipal storm systems without being treated. These emissions can build up over time, putting "forever chemicals" into rivers and groundwater in the area. The problem is worse in colder areas where the snow melts quickly each spring, unleashing concentrated streams of PFAS-laden water into the ecosystem. Health experts say that this channel, which has been ignored, could raise the risk of cancer in adjacent neighborhoods that depend on surface or well water. As more people learn about PFAS water contamination, some local governments are starting to talk to a cancer lawyer about whether the emissions are covered by current environmental licenses or if the rink operators could be responsible for cleaning them up.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that PFAS chemicals are very resistant to heat and chemical breakdown, which is why they are employed in lubricants and cooling systems. But this same strength means that they can stay around forever once they are freed. Environmental groups in Canada and Europe are already looking into fluorinated refrigerants to see if they could break down into PFAS chemicals. When these chillants leak or are vented while equipment is being worked on, they can accumulate on ice surfaces and get into rinse water when resurfacing is done. Floor drains that are connected to city systems are often used to move meltwater from indoor buildings. These systems were never meant to catch or filter PFAS. When outdoor rinks are cleaned, the snow and ice that are removed are sometimes dumped into surrounding lots or streams, which makes it easy for contaminants to get into the water. Researchers have found different levels of PFAS depending on the type of refrigerant and coating materials used. However, all tests showed that once released, PFAS can quickly move through meltwater to downstream intakes. Regulatory agencies are now telling rink owners to look at how they handle their waste, buy sealed capture systems, and think about moving to non-fluorinated options for keeping the ice clean. Environmental experts are trying out activated charcoal filters and specific binders to catch PFAS before they get into the water, but the expenses are still too high for small towns. Managing PFAS from things like ice rinks and other recreational facilities is likely to become a bigger regulatory concern.

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