Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFAS) in Wisconsin Water
Background/History
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFAS) —also known as C8 are synthetic chemicals found in everyday objects for example, food packaging, household cleaners and nonstick cookware. The very first PFAS ever invented was in the 1930s and were the main ingredient in nonstick pans and waterproof coatings. The rapid development of PFAS continued in the late 1960s because of the tragic and deadly fire aboard a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, the USS Forrestal, in 1967. The fire resulted from an accidental launch of a rocket into armed planes and loaded fuel tanks. This fire unfortunately killed about 130 individuals. After this tragic accident the US Navy began to make it mandatory for its vessels to carry PFAS-containing aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), a foam mixture that rapidly extinguishes fire.
There are over 3,000 different types of synthetic chemicals that are classified as PFAS. Two classes of PFAS, PFOA and PFOS have been linked to adverse health effects in laboratory animals. Which has caused great concern for humans. PFOAS has been detected in the blood of 98% of individuals living in the USA. PFOAS are mainly found around military bases and manufacturing facilities, which causes PFOAS to seep into local water sources that individuals use.
PFAS is still commonly used in nonstick cookware and other household items, but is also used to improve job efficiency, safety, and cleanliness. A good example of this is in a hospital's operating room. Surgeons and nurses wear special gowns and drapes that were manufactured using PFAS. The PFAS in these items helps prevent infections from developing on the patient when on the operation table. Another industrial use for PFAS is in electronics development. PFAS in electrons provides them a boost in heat transfer in semiconductors (silicon, germanium, gallium arsenide), provides them resistance from things like moisture and other chemicals, and can be used as a cleaning solvent for them.
Current Status of Controversy
Currently in Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers declared 2019 the Year of Clean Drinking Water. As part of the statewide initiative to ensure Wisconsinites have access to clean, safe drinking water, Governor Evers signed Executive Order #40, in August 2019 to address the issue of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in Wisconsin. Executive #40 will Order the Department of Natural Resources incoordination with the Department of Health Services and Department of agriculture, trade, and consumer protection to: Establish a public information website to properly inform the public on PFAS and the risk these chemicals pose to the public’s health and Wisconsin’s natural resources, Collaborate with municipalities and wastewater treatment plants on screning programs to identify potential sources of PFAS into the environment, Expand monitoring and consideration of PFAS in the development of fish and other wildlife consumption advisories to protect human health, Develop regulatory standards to protect public health and the environment from PFAS contamination, Modify the Voluntary Party Liability Exemption law,which provides future liability exemptions after successful completion of hazardous substance cleanup,to protect Wisconsin taxpayers from uncertain and costly liability associated with PFAS, and Asses opportunities for using natural resource damage claims under state or federal law to address compensation for PFAS impacts to natural resources.
Executive #40 will also create the PFAS council which is staffed by the Department of Natural Resources. The council will do the following: Develop a Multi-agency PFAS action plan for the State of Wisconsin, Develop Protocols To Effectively Inform, educate, and engage the public about PFAS, Identify and prioritize likely known PFAS sources and incorporate this information into the PFAS action plan, Evaluate the public health risks of PFAS in addition to any impacts to Wisconsin’s natural resources, agriculture, wildlife, and fisheries, Develop best practices and protocols for identifying PFAS sources to ensure that the materials are managed in a way that protects natural resources and human health. In Partnership With Stakeholders, develop standard testing and treatment protocols that are both cost-efficient, Engage academic institutions and experts to identify and collaborate on joint projects, and further identify technical resources necessary to implement PFAS action plan, and to Explore avenues of funding for the state, local governments, and private parties to aid their effort to address PFAS. These chemicals are of concern because they have now been detected in groundwater, drinking water, and soils in many of our local communities. This creates a potential exposure pathway to humans and possible health risks.
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFAS) —also known as C8 are synthetic chemicals found in everyday objects for example, food packaging, household cleaners and nonstick cookware. The very first PFAS ever invented was in the 1930s and were the main ingredient in nonstick pans and waterproof coatings. The rapid development of PFAS continued in the late 1960s because of the tragic and deadly fire aboard a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, the USS Forrestal, in 1967. The fire resulted from an accidental launch of a rocket into armed planes and loaded fuel tanks. This fire unfortunately killed about 130 individuals. After this tragic accident the US Navy began to make it mandatory for its vessels to carry PFAS-containing aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), a foam mixture that rapidly extinguishes fire.
There are over 3,000 different types of synthetic chemicals that are classified as PFAS. Two classes of PFAS, PFOA and PFOS have been linked to adverse health effects in laboratory animals. Which has caused great concern for humans. PFOAS has been detected in the blood of 98% of individuals living in the USA. PFOAS are mainly found around military bases and manufacturing facilities, which causes PFOAS to seep into local water sources that individuals use.
PFAS is still commonly used in nonstick cookware and other household items, but is also used to improve job efficiency, safety, and cleanliness. A good example of this is in a hospital's operating room. Surgeons and nurses wear special gowns and drapes that were manufactured using PFAS. The PFAS in these items helps prevent infections from developing on the patient when on the operation table. Another industrial use for PFAS is in electronics development. PFAS in electrons provides them a boost in heat transfer in semiconductors (silicon, germanium, gallium arsenide), provides them resistance from things like moisture and other chemicals, and can be used as a cleaning solvent for them.
Current Status of Controversy
Currently in Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers declared 2019 the Year of Clean Drinking Water. As part of the statewide initiative to ensure Wisconsinites have access to clean, safe drinking water, Governor Evers signed Executive Order #40, in August 2019 to address the issue of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in Wisconsin. Executive #40 will Order the Department of Natural Resources incoordination with the Department of Health Services and Department of agriculture, trade, and consumer protection to: Establish a public information website to properly inform the public on PFAS and the risk these chemicals pose to the public’s health and Wisconsin’s natural resources, Collaborate with municipalities and wastewater treatment plants on screning programs to identify potential sources of PFAS into the environment, Expand monitoring and consideration of PFAS in the development of fish and other wildlife consumption advisories to protect human health, Develop regulatory standards to protect public health and the environment from PFAS contamination, Modify the Voluntary Party Liability Exemption law,which provides future liability exemptions after successful completion of hazardous substance cleanup,to protect Wisconsin taxpayers from uncertain and costly liability associated with PFAS, and Asses opportunities for using natural resource damage claims under state or federal law to address compensation for PFAS impacts to natural resources.
Executive #40 will also create the PFAS council which is staffed by the Department of Natural Resources. The council will do the following: Develop a Multi-agency PFAS action plan for the State of Wisconsin, Develop Protocols To Effectively Inform, educate, and engage the public about PFAS, Identify and prioritize likely known PFAS sources and incorporate this information into the PFAS action plan, Evaluate the public health risks of PFAS in addition to any impacts to Wisconsin’s natural resources, agriculture, wildlife, and fisheries, Develop best practices and protocols for identifying PFAS sources to ensure that the materials are managed in a way that protects natural resources and human health. In Partnership With Stakeholders, develop standard testing and treatment protocols that are both cost-efficient, Engage academic institutions and experts to identify and collaborate on joint projects, and further identify technical resources necessary to implement PFAS action plan, and to Explore avenues of funding for the state, local governments, and private parties to aid their effort to address PFAS. These chemicals are of concern because they have now been detected in groundwater, drinking water, and soils in many of our local communities. This creates a potential exposure pathway to humans and possible health risks.
Key Players List
3M
Power-Dynamic Analysis
PFAS is manufactured and obtained by businesses like 3M for products used daily in the modern world. However, mistakes do occur, and sometimes PFAS is leaked into our environment. Companies like AdEdge Water Technologies are working to reduce and filter PFAS emissions out of the world's water, clean or dirty. This is one of the jobs the people in this company do in order to improve and purify the world's water quality.
Solutions
People are trying to do something to fix the pollution problem. For example, a water treatment group in North Carolina is building a new facility that will contain large filters of granular activated carbon to suck PFAS out of contaminated drinking water, Chemical & Engineering News reported last month.
Cited Sources
3M
- Multinational manufacturer 3M, which developed two types of industrial chemical now found in the blood of virtually all Americans, has known since 2001 that those chemicals were entering the food supply
- 3M knew as early as the 1970s that PFAS was accumulating in human blood, and conducted experiments on rats and monkeys that led the company to believe the compounds “should be regarded as toxic.”
- DuPont de Nemours, Inc., commonly known as DuPont, is an American company formed by the merger of Dow Chemical and DuPont on August 31, 2017, and then subsequent spin offs of Dow Inc. and Corteva. Prior to the spinoffs it was the world's largest chemical company in terms of sales.
- Daikin is the World's No. 1 air conditioning company. Our products are sold in over 140 countries, including throughout North America. Since the early 1930’s, we've worked to realize a better environment and quality of life through providing heating and cooling solutions.
- As one of the world’s leading specialty chemical companies, Clariant contributes to value creation with innovative and sustainable solutions for customers from many industries. Our portfolio is designed to meet very specific needs with as much precision as possible. At the same time, our research and development is focused on addressing the key trends of our time. These include energy efficiency, renewable raw materials, emission-free mobility, and conserving finite resources. Clariant reports in three business areas: Care Chemicals, Natural Resources and Catalysis.
- Is it possible to protect the earth and pursue human progress at the same time? We think so. Chemistry holds the key because it plays such a big part in so many industries. With chemical technology, we hope to create a world that is not only safe, secure and comfortable, but also environmentally friendly. We believe that chemistry has the power to achieve all these goals without compromise. At AGC Chemicals we're working toward a future that restores the glory of our planet's past.Creating a safe, secure, comfortable and environmentally friendly world with chemical technology.
Power-Dynamic Analysis
PFAS is manufactured and obtained by businesses like 3M for products used daily in the modern world. However, mistakes do occur, and sometimes PFAS is leaked into our environment. Companies like AdEdge Water Technologies are working to reduce and filter PFAS emissions out of the world's water, clean or dirty. This is one of the jobs the people in this company do in order to improve and purify the world's water quality.
Solutions
People are trying to do something to fix the pollution problem. For example, a water treatment group in North Carolina is building a new facility that will contain large filters of granular activated carbon to suck PFAS out of contaminated drinking water, Chemical & Engineering News reported last month.
- Avoid buying fabrics treated with nonstick chemicals such as:
- Teflon.
- Scotchgard.
- Stainmaster.
- Polartec.
- Gore-tex.
- Use stainless steel and cast iron cookware.
- Skip optional stain-repellant treatment on new carpets and furniture.
- Eat less fast food and skip the microwave popcorn.
- Executive #40 (as seen in current status of controversy)
- Wisconsin’s action plan
Cited Sources
- Kounang, Nadia. “What Are PFAS Chemicals, and What Are They Doing to Our Health?” CNN, Cable News Network, 14 Feb. 2019. https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/14/health/what-are-pfas-chemicals/index.html
- “Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Contamination.” Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Contamination - Wisconsin DNR, dnr.wi.gov/topic/contaminants/PFAS.html.
- “PFAS: Midwest Environmental Advocates.” PFAS | Midwest Environmental Advocates, midwestadvocates.org/issues-actions/issues/detail/pfas.
- “What Are PFAS?” LiveScience, Purch, www.livescience.com/65364-pfas.html.
- “Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Contamination.” Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Contamination - Wisconsin DNR, dnr.wi.gov/topic/contaminants/PFAS.html.
- Schlanger, Zoë “3M Knew It Was Contaminating the Food Supply Back in 2001.” Quartz, Quartz, 14 June 2019, qz.com/1643554/3m-knew-pfas-was-contaminating-us-food-supply/.
- Barrett, Axel. “Are PFAS The Next Big Industry Scandal?” Bioplastics News, 19 Aug. 2019, bioplasticsnews.com/2019/06/16/are-pfas-the-next-big-industry-scandal/.
- Bloomberg.com, Bloomberg, www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-13/to-the-epa-forever-chemicals-are-a-big-problem-now-quicktake.
- “Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).” Wisconsin Department of Health Services, 13 Jan. 2020, www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/chemical/pfas.htm.
- BeMiller, Haley, and Molly Beck. “Wisconsin Lawmakers Announce Sweeping Plan to Regulate PFAS Contamination in Water.” Press Gazette Media, Green Bay Press-Gazette, 30 Jan. 2020, www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/2020/01/30/wisconsin-lawmakers-announce-plan-regulate-pfas-water/4619849002/.
- Anderson, Scott. “Toxic PFAS Chemical Found In 6 Wisconsin Water Systems.” Milwaukee, WI Patch, Patch, 10 May 2019, patch.com/wisconsin/milwaukee/toxic-pfas-chemical-found-6-wisconsin-water-systems.
- “Treatment of PFAS – Challenges and Solutions.” REGENESIS Remediation Solutions, regenesis.com/en/treatment-of-pfas/.
- “How Can I Avoid PFAS Chemicals?” EWG, www.ewg.org/avoidpfas.