Industrial sites like the Tyco/Johnson Controls facilities in Marinette, Wisconsin are sources of PFAS groundwater contamination that has spread from these sites, threatening nearby fisheries and affecting residential wells. So far, at least 36 families have been exposed to PFAS in their drinking water. The highest concentration detected in a private well was 1900 ng/L, far above the EPA’s Health Advisory Level of 70 ng/L (parts per trillion).
The potential for other similar sites in Wisconsin is unknown as there has been no statewide inventory of likely sources of PFAS contamination such as paper mills, fire training areas, airports, manufacturing facilities and landfills.
Of the more than 11,000 public drinking water systems tested in Wisconsin, only 90 have been tested for PFAS. The one-time testing in 2013-2015 detected PFAS in La Crosse and Rhinelander public water system and low levels in the West Bend system. Moreover, these wells were tested for only 6 PFAS analytes in a class of thousands of chemicals.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of more than 5,000 man-made toxic chemicals used to make consumer products resistant to water, grease or stains. Research has shown probable links between PFAS exposure and cancer, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, and pregnancy-induced hypertension.
Aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) containing PFAS has been used by the Department of Defense for over 40 years for suppressing liquid fuel fires, fire-training exercises and other emergency fire response activities. As a result of these activities, groundwater, surface water, and plants and animals in the vicinity of military installations have become contaminated with PFAS, some much more than others.
In July 2018, the Department of Defense identified eight (8) Wisconsin sites with known or suspected release of two PFAS compounds – PFOA and PFOS.
- Badger Army Ammunition Plant
- Fort McCoy, U.S. Army base
- General Mitchell Air Reserve Station
- General Mitchell State Air National Guard Base
- Madison Air Support Facility, Army National Guard
- Truax Field State Air National Guard Base
- Volk Field State Air National Guard Base
- West Bend Air Support Facility, Army National Guard