Natural Resources Board Sees Widespread Public Support for State PFAS Standards
Elected leaders from communities across Wisconsin are calling on the Natural Resources Board (NRB) to approve state standards for harmful PFAS chemicals. The NRB will decide on Wednesday whether to approve the state’s first ever water quality standards for PFAS, which have been found at high levels in waters around Wisconsin, prompting numerous drinking water and fish consumption advisories.
“Everyone should be able to eat the fish they catch and drink the water flowing from their taps. But in dozens of communities across the state, PFAS contamination is putting our waterways at risk,” says Clean Wisconsin Water Program Director Scott Laeser. “As we begin to address pollution from these ‘forever chemicals,’ our actions must flow from water quality standards that—above all else—protect public health.”
“Our communities need help, and they deserve it now,” the letter states. “We cannot wait years to know what is in our water and begin the process of cleaning it up. Other states around us have already passed similar standards.”
Concern over PFAS pollution extends to virtually every corner of the state. Last week, Wisconsinites from more than 80 cities, towns and villages signed on to a Clean Wisconsin petition calling for state PFAS standards that will bring more testing and cleanup.
“We need standards now and widespread testing for PFAS pollution,” Laeser says. “Wisconsin families deserve to know whether the water they drink is safe, and only testing and enforceable standards can provide that peace of mind
PFAS are a group of chemical compounds used in a vast array of products, from firefighting foam to fast food wrappers. Product brands like Gore-Tex, Teflon, Stainmaster, and Scotchguard all contain PFAS chemicals, also known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment and can persist in the human body. High-level exposure to some types of PFAS are linked to a host of health impacts including reduced response to vaccines, lower birth weight, thyroid disease, increased cholesterol levels, liver damage, and kidney and testicular cancer.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the PFAS Problem
- PFAS in Foam Far Worse Than Water in Wisconsin’s Rivers, Lakes - Danielle Kaeding - Jul 10th, 2024
- Lawmakers At Odds Over Releasing Health, PFAS Funds - Erik Gunn - Jun 6th, 2024
- Wisconsin Senate Votes to Override Governor’s Vetoes - Baylor Spears - May 15th, 2024
- Gov. Evers Sues Republican Legislators for Continued Obstruction of Investments Intended to Address Pressing Challenges Facing Wisconsin - Gov. Tony Evers - May 13th, 2024
- Legislators Agree on Opioid Plan, Still Withhold PFAS, Hospital Funds - Erik Gunn - May 8th, 2024
- Gov. Evers Again Calls Republican Lawmakers into Special Meeting to Urge Immediate Release of $140 Million to Fight PFAS Statewide, Respond to Hospital Closures in Western Wisconsin - Gov. Tony Evers - May 6th, 2024
- The State of Politics: Voters Worried About PFAS in Water - Steven Walters - Apr 22nd, 2024
- EPA Slaps Two PFAS Chemicals With Superfund Law Designation - Danielle Kaeding - Apr 19th, 2024
- DNR Responds To EPA’s Designation Of PFOA And PFOS As Hazardous Substances - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Apr 19th, 2024
- Evers Won’t Rule Out Court Challenge to Force Release of PFAS Funds - Danielle Kaeding - Apr 16th, 2024
Read more about PFAS Problem here
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