Great Lakes Monitoring

The Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network (IADN)

Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxic Pollutants (PBTs) and Monitoring by the Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network (IADN)

Persistent bioaccumulative toxic pollutants (PBTs) are chemicals that are toxic, persist in the environment, and bioaccumulate (build up to higher levels) in food chains. PBTs can cause reproductive problems, developmental problems, and other harmful effects in humans and wildlife. Many are also suspected carcinogens. For people, the main route of exposure to these substances is through consumption of contaminated fish rather than inhalation.

Since they are persistent, PBTs transfer easily among air, water, and land and can travel long distances across continents and even the globe.

The Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network (IADN) is run jointly by U.S. EPA’s Great Lakes National Program Office and Environment Canada and monitors PBTs in air and precipitation.

The Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network (IADN)

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