Pharmaceuticals and personal care products found in the Great Lakes above concentrations of environmental concern

•Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) were monitored in Lake Michigan.•Fifty-four PPCPs were assessed in surface water and sediment on six dates.•Many PPCPs, such as metformin, were detected 3.2km away from the shore.•Hydrophobic compounds were detected in sediment at concentrations up to 510ngg−1.•Using a risk quotient, the ecosystem risk was found to be high for many PPCPs.