Toxic PFAS Chemical Found In 6 Wisconsin Water Systems

MILWAUKEE, WI — A new report shows that hundreds of sites nationwide — including six in Wisconsin— have been contaminated with highly toxic chemicals, including drinking water systems that serve an estimated 19 million people.

Researchers at the Environmental Working Group, an activist nonprofit group, said this week that at least 610 places in 43 states are now known to be contaminated with perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known collectively as PFAS. That’s up from the 172 the organization had identified in July 2018.

Should you worry? Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have called the presence of the chemicals in drinking water supplies a widespread public health crisis, and states and local communities are calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to set legally allowable limits — which currently don't exist — for the substances.

The new sites, discovered using different data sources, include public water systems, military bases, airports, industrial plants, dumps and firefighter training sites, EWG said.

PFAS are man-made chemicals found in industry and consumer products across the globe dating to the 1950s. They were used in nonstick cookware, water-repellent clothing and stain resistant fabrics and carpets, as well as certain cosmetics and firefighting foams. Additionally, PFAS were found in products that resist grease, water and oil, the federal agency said.

PFAS contamination is a public health concern that federal and state health officials are interested in studying further, according to the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. The agency cited studies linking PFAS contamination to liver problems, low birth weight, some cancers and other health issues. While more research is needed to determine just how toxic the chemicals are to humans and animals, the “forever chemical,” as it’s often called, has lawmakers on both sides of the aisle concerned.

Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, co-chairman of a congressional PFAS task force, has called PFAS “one of the most widespread public health crises” that Americans face today. Democratic Rep. Dan Kildee of Michigan has said veterans and their families have become increasingly alarmed about the chemical around bases.

“The Defense Department in particular has so far failed to act with the required urgency to address this growing problem,” he said earlier this year.

Here are the PFAS contaminated sites in Wisconsin:

Contamination site: General Mitchell Air Reserve Station

Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Date of discovery: 2018

Results (PFOS/ PFOA) or Range above EPA LHAs:(on-base) Combined PFOS/PFOA = 88-10,830 ppt

Other Results PFAS or Range above EPA LHAs:N/A

Suspected source: Firefighting foam used at General Mitchell Air Reserve Station

Source: EWG from Department of Defense

System name: Madison Water Utility

State: Wisconsin

Population served: 235,000

Testing dates: 08/01/17 - 10/17/18

PFAS detected: PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxA, PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS

PFAS min - max: 0 - 68.1 ppt

Source: EWG from drinking water test data

System name: West Bend Waterworks

State: Wisconsin

Population served: 31,500

Testing dates: 05/12/14 - 11/03/14

PFAS detected: PFOA

PFAS min - max: 0 - 45.48 ppt

Source: EWG from drinking water test data

Contamination site: US Army Reserve Fort McCoy

Location: Monroe County, Wisconsin

Date of discovery: 2017

Results (PFOS/ PFOA) or Range above EPA LHAs:On-base groundwater: -PFOA: 720-3,400 ppt (June 2017) -PFOS: high of 120,000ppt (June 2017)

Other Results PFAS or Range above EPA LHAs:N/A

Suspected source: Firefighting foam used at US Army Reserve Fort McCoy

Source: EWG from Department of Defense

System name: Rhinelander Water & Wastewater

State: Wisconsin

Population served: 7,427

Testing dates: 01/17/13 - 07/16/13

PFAS detected: PFHxS

PFAS min - max: 100 - 117.3 ppt

Source: EWG from drinking water test data

Contamination site: Tyco-Ansul Fire Technology Center

Location: Town of Peshtigo, Wisconsin

Date of discovery: 2017

Results (PFOS/ PFOA) or Range above EPA LHAs:Groundwater: -PFOA+PFOS: as high as 202,000 ppt Drinking well water: -PFOA+PFOS: ND-1,900 ppt

Other Results PFAS or Range above EPA LHAs:N/A

Suspected source: Tyco Fire Products is being held responsible for the contamination

Source: EWG from Northeastern University - Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute