PFAS Found In Sediment and Surface Water At Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern
PFAS Are Highest In The Kinnickinnic River
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has received results from surface water and sediment sampling performed in November 2019 to determine if per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly called PFAS, are present in areas that are targeted for potential cleanup-related dredging across the US EPA-designated Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern (AOC).
Results indicate the presence of PFAS compounds in sediment and all surface water samples taken in the Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern. PFBA (Perfluorobutanoate) was found in 100% of the surface water samples. PFBA is considered less toxic than the more widely studied compounds PFOA (Perfluorooctanoate) and PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulfonate).
Thirteen locations in the Milwaukee, Menomonee, Kinnickinnic Rivers and inner and outer harbors, as well as one location in Lake Michigan, were sampled for 35 PFAS compounds. This watershed is the most urban watershed in the state of Wisconsin with approximately 90% of the area considered urban.
The highest concentrations of PFAS were found in the samples taken furthest upstream from Lake Michigan. Among the 14 locations sampled, PFAS concentrations in sediment and surface water are highest in the Kinnickinnic River with PFHxS (Perfluorohexanesulfonate) at 44.4 parts per trillion (ppt) in surface water and PFOS at 9.1 parts per billion (ppb) in sediment.
Sample locations and the analytical report for the results can be found on the DNR’s website.
By comparison, the Milwaukee Estuary PFAS surface water results are generally lower than those PFAS concentrations recently found in Starkweather Creek in Madison, and higher than the recently sampled Wisconsin, Mississippi and Menomonee Rivers.
The results will inform the future management of river sediment dredged during the clean-up of the AOC. Much of the river sediment in the AOC is contaminated with “legacy contaminants,” including PCBs and PAHs, that were generated over many decades. These legacy contaminants still pose threats to environmental health – and the removal, remediation, and subsequent management of this contaminated river sediment is the focus of the AOC clean-up effort.
PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals used for decades in numerous products, including non-stick cookware, fast food wrappers, stain-resistant sprays and certain types of firefighting foam. These contaminants have made their way into the environment through spills of PFAS-containing materials and discharges of PFAS-containing wastewater to treatment plants and through use of certain types of firefighting foams. PFAS can persist in the environment and the human body for long periods of time. Recent scientific findings indicate that exposure to certain PFAS may have harmful health effects in people.
Eating fish containing elevated levels of PFAS is a potential human health concern. The Department is currently awaiting PFAS results from fish that were collected from the Milwaukee River and additional fish will be collected from the AOC in 2020. DNR’s current fish consumption guidance restricts consumption in the Milwaukee Estuary based on PCBs. People should continue to follow these advisories as we learn more. Once these fish testing results are available, the Department will work with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to evaluate whether the advisory needs to be updated.
To keep people safe and healthy during recreational activities, DHS recommends people avoid drinking or swallowing water and to shower after swimming, wading, or playing in the water, to prevent accidental ingestion. DHS also recommends pets to be thoroughly rinsed off after contact with water. For more PFAS health-related information, please visit the DHS website.
Please visit the DNR website for more information on PFAS.
More about the Area of Concern Abatement Effort
- MKE County: County Planning Habitat Restoration in Milwaukee River Greenway - Graham Kilmer - Jan 13th, 2023
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Harbor Commission Approves Massive Cleanup Facility - Jeramey Jannene - Aug 18th, 2022
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Planned Riverwalk Lets You Touch the Water - Jeramey Jannene - Nov 22nd, 2021
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Contaminated Canal To Become Restored Wetland - Jeramey Jannene - May 13th, 2021
- DNR To Host Public Meeting On Dredging Materials In The Milwaukee Estuary Area Of Concern - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - May 6th, 2021
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Massive Harbor, River Cleanup Moving Forward - Jeramey Jannene - Jan 8th, 2021
- PFAS, Other Pollutants Found In Rivers - Isiah Holmes - May 11th, 2020
- PFAS Found In Sediment and Surface Water At Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - May 7th, 2020
- Eyes on Milwaukee: $29 Million Partnership to Clean Up Harbor - Jeramey Jannene - Jan 28th, 2020
- DNR, EPA Sign Agreement to Proceed on Milwaukee Estuary Cleanup to Eliminate 32-Year-Old Area of Concern Designation - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Jan 28th, 2020
Read more about Area of Concern Abatement Effort here
More about the PFAS Problem
- Evers Wants $100 Million For PFAS, Will Republicans Back Proposal? - Danielle Kaeding - Jan 26th, 2023
- Gov. Evers Proposes More Than $106 Million Plan to Address PFAS Contamination Statewide - Gov. Tony Evers - Jan 24th, 2023
- Multiple State Agencies Responding To PFAS Contamination In Town Of Stella - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Jan 19th, 2023
- New PFAS Fish Consumption Advisory Issued For Lake Wausau And Stevens Point Flowage - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Jan 18th, 2023
- Fish Consumption Advisory Updated For Parts Of Yahara Chain In Dane County - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Jan 18th, 2023
- Study Finds High Level of ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Great Lakes Fish - Danielle Kaeding - Jan 18th, 2023
- Conservation Groups Cite Damage From Prehn’s Time on Natural Resources Board - Henry Redman - Jan 8th, 2023
- Wisconsin Seeking Federal Help For Town With PFAS Contamination 170 Times Safe Levels - Danielle Kaeding - Dec 23rd, 2022
- Natural Resources Board Moves Forward with Groundwater Standards to Protect Wisconsin Communities from PFAS Contamination - Midwest Environmental Advocates - Dec 14th, 2022
- AG Kaul Calls on U.S. Senate to Pass legislation to Protect the Public from Highly Toxic ‘Forever’ Chemicals - Wisconsin Department of Justice - Nov 11th, 2022
Read more about PFAS Problem here
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