Of the more than 11,000 public drinking water systems tested in Wisconsin, only 90 have been tested for PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances).
These highly toxic chemicals – found in certain firefighting foams and a wide range of consumer products – are not regulated under the Clean Water Act so public water suppliers are not required to test for them.
Awareness of PFAS concentrations in our drinking water is especially critical during an epidemic as it is well-established that persistent exposure to PFAS compromises our resistance to disease and suppresses our immune system.
Neighboring states like Michigan have already completed statewide sampling of public and school water supplies. Of 1,114 public water systems tested, 119 were found to contain some level of PFAS. Of 461 school and 152 daycare wells, 59 were found to contain PFAS.
There are currently no established medical treatments for PFAS however, we know that blood levels decrease over time when exposure to PFAS is reduced. By testing Wisconsin’s public and private water supplies for PFAS now, we can identify and eliminate exposures, and strengthen our ability to battle the current and any future health crises.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Sign the petition in support of testing Wisconsin’s drinking water for PFAS!