High levels of ‘forever chemicals’ found in Smitty’s Supply stormwater discharges

ROSELAND — Sampling of stormwater discharges from a destroyed petrochemical facility in Tangipahoa Parish detected high levels of cancer-linked compounds known as “forever chemicals,” according to months-old lab reports that state environmental officials released this month.

The lab results show extensive contamination at the Smitty’s Supply Inc. site in Roseland, documenting at least 24 different per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. They are called “forever chemicals” because of their ability to persist in the environment …