PFAS Detected in 7 out of 10 Wells in Wisconsin
On Friday, Nov. 3, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI DNR) released its most recent study conducted with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The study was published Thursday in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Environmental Science & Technology.
The WI DNR, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene collected 450 samples from homes with shallow private wells no deeper than 40 feet throughout Wisconsin.
Researchers analyzed samples for 44 individual PFAS or per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances. PFAS are a large group of human-made chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products worldwide since the 1950s. They’ve been used in everyday products like nonstick cookware, food wrappers, and firefighting foam. The chemicals don’t break down easily in the environment. Research shows high exposure to PFAS has been linked to kidney and testicular cancers, fertility issues, thyroid disease, and reduced response to vaccines over time.
These tests detected at least one chemical in 71 percent of samples, and 22 substances were found in one or more samples. Less than 4 percent of samples—17 out of 450—went beyond the EPA’s proposed drinking water limits of 4 parts per trillion for two of the most widely studied chemicals: PFOA and PFOS. Two samples contained the chemical PFHxS at levels concerning to federal environmental regulators.
The study reads, "Those samples above the referenced PFAS levels tend to be associated with developed land and human waste indicators (artificial sweeteners and pharmaceuticals), which can be released to groundwater via septic systems." The study also found samples of PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS that had levels greater than 40 parts per trillion may be tied to "application of wastes to agricultural land."
The state enacted drinking water standards for PFAS last year of 70 parts per trillion. The WI DNR anticipates the state will have data on PFAS levels in all public water supplies by the end of the year.
However, the state is currently lacking groundwater standards. At present, the WI DNR is crafting regulations for four PFAS in groundwater. The agency has recommended a groundwater standard of 20 parts per trillion for two of the most common PFAS: PFOA and PFOS. The agency is recommending standards of 300 parts per trillion for GenX and 450 parts per billion for PFBS. GenX chemicals can be used as a replacement for PFOA, and PFBS is considered a replacement for PFOS, but both have still shown health effects similar to the other PFAS chemicals in animal studies.
The WI DNR says these new groundwater standards would help protect private well owners from exposure to the chemicals and reduce treatment needs for public water supplies that draw from groundwater.
The agency also said that private well owners with PFAS contamination may be eligible for grants under the Well Compensation Grant Program to install new wells or water treatment systems.
Additionally, the WI DNR and the Department of Health Services (DHS) have announced a new PFAS-based consumption advisory for fish from the bay of Green Bay and its tributaries.
Elevated levels of PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate), a type of PFAS, were detected in rainbow smelt sampled from Green Bay. As a result, the WI DNR and DHS recommend consuming only one meal per week of rainbow smelt from the bay of Green Bay and its associated tributaries up to the first dam. This includes portions of the Peshtigo, Oconto, and Menominee rivers.
By Emeil Marks, First Vice President, DCEC
This article was taken and adapted from the following sources:
https://www.wpr.org/study-pfas-detected-71-percent-shallow-private-wells-tested-statewide
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/newsroom/release/84721
