Document J3Dmm05aY9jRmb5bpXwZ1ny66

_News release: Low levels of PFBA found in six cities' wells in southeast metropolitan area 1of 4 5 750 Minnesota Department of Health News Release January 19, 2007 Contact information Low levels of PFBA found in six cities' wells in southeast metropolitan area Levels pose no immediate health risk to residents; source of contamination under investigation The Minnesota Department of Health has detected low levels of the chemical perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) in municipal wells in Woodbury, Cottage Grove, Newport, St. Paul Park, South St. Paul and Hastings. The contamination in all of these cities, except Woodbury, appears to be occurring in an area of groundwater that is separate from the one in Lake Elmo and Oakdale. The source of this new area of contamination is under investigation. PFBA is one of a family of chemicals known as perfluorochemicals or PFCs. They were made and used by several companies around the world in household and industrial products such as stain repellents, lubricants, fire retardants and suppressants, pesticides, surfactants, and emulsifiers. PFBA was made by the 3M Company at its Cottage Grove facility. Studies in laboratory animals have shown that PFCs may cause health problems if consumed in large enough quantities over long periods of time, or consumed at a sensitive time during development. Studies by 3M of workers exposed to PFCs during manufacturing show no apparent impact on their health. "Finding this chemical at low levels does not pose an immediate health risk for residents," said John Line Stine, director of the Environmental Health Division for MDH. "It does mean we need to proceed cautiously, investigate further and, if necessary, take steps to reduce people's exposure for the long term. Our toxicologists are currently evaluating the limited scientific information available on PFBA." Staff from MDH and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will be conducting extensive testing, including private wells, to determine the extent of the , -> 10 http://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/drinkingwaterO 11907.html 2/1/2007 News release: Low levels of PFBA found in six cities' wells in southeast metropolitan area PBg? 2 of 4 groundwater contamination. City wells will be monitored monthly for levels of PFCs. The PFBA was found as part of MDH's ongoing investigation into groundwater contamination in southern Washington County. The investigation began several years ago when health officials learned 3M disposed of PFC wastes at three sites in Washington County: the former Washington County Sanitary Landfill, the former Abresch dump in Oakdale, the 3M Cottage Grove facility and another disposal site on the border of Woodbury and Cottage Grove. In 2004, MDH staff began collecting samples from private wells in the City of Lake Elmo to look for two PFCs, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Low levels of PFOA were found in a few private wells near the Washington County Landfill. In 2005 more testing detected PFOS and PFOA in a larger group of private wells in Lake Elmo and several city wells in Oakdale. Tests in several other nearby municipal water supplies, including Cottage Grove, Woodbury, and Hastings did not find PFOA or PFOS. In spring 2006, the MDH Public Health Laboratory developed methods to detect five more types of PFCs. Analysis of the water samples revealed that one of these, PFBA, is widespread. PFBA seems to move very freely in the groundwater; more so than PFOS or PFOA. It does not break down or degrade. PFBA has now been found in two distinct areas of southern Washington County. One area of groundwater contamination appears to originate from the former Washington County Landfill in Lake Elmo and the former Abresch Dump in Oakdale. This area extends into the City of Woodbury. In drinking water near the disposal sites, multiple PFCs, including PFOA and PFOS, are found. Only PFBA has been detected in the Woodbury municipal wells. A second area of groundwater contamination is located further south and is primarily PFBA, with no detections of PFOA or PFOS. PFBA has been detected in all of the city wells in Cottage Grove, St. Paul Park and Newport and in some city wells in South St. Paul and Hastings. This area of contamination may originate from the disposal site on the border of Woodbury and Cottage Grove. So far, PFCs have not been found in limited testing of groundwater done elsewhere in the metropolitan area. "Learning about chemical contamination in groundwater is a step-by-step process," Stine said. "Though the discovery of PFCs in the southeast metro is relatively new, testing information from the last couple of years suggests that the levels of PFCs in the groundwater are stable and not increasing. The testing information also suggests that PFCs have been present for some time. Our testing for these chemicals has improved since we began." ! http://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/drinkingwaterO 11907.html 2/1/2007 News release: Low levels of PFBA found in six cities' wells in southeast metropolitan area 3 of 4 MDH has been using the well advisory guideline for PFOA, 1 ppb, as a temporary guideline for PFBA. "It's important to note that these are guidelines and there is not a bright line of health risk for findings just above or below the number of 1," Stine said. "The levels of PFBA in each of the four cities is still very low. Some wells in Cottage Grove and St. Paul Park slightly exceed the MDH guidelines. The initial sampling results for South St. Paul and Hastings still need to be confirmed." Scientific understanding of the relative toxicity of PFBA, along with the other PFCs is evolving. "Looking at new studies and some underway, we anticipate that PFBA should be less toxic to people than PFOA based on its chemical characteristics and on preliminary data from animal studies," Stine said. "In contrast to PFOA and PFOS, PFBA does not appear to accumulate in animals or people." Once the studies are completed and reviewed, MDH will develop specific advice for PFBA as well as revised values for PFOS and PFOA. MDH will meet with officials from the affected cities next week to further discuss the test results and their implications. MDH will continue to provide technical support to cities for managing their drinking water systems. While there is no immediate concern for drinking water, residents who have PFBA in their drinking water and wish to reduce their exposure can take some simple steps. They can use bottled water for part or all of their drinking or cooking needs. Also, filters containing granular activated carbon (GAC) remove PFCs, including PFBA. Many common water filters contain GAC. Residents in the affected areas who want further information can contact the Minnnesota Department of Health Environmental Health Division at 651-201 4897 or visit MDH's Drinking Water Protection Web page at http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/water/index.html. -MDH- Map of PFC plumes in S. Washington Co. (PDF: 74KB/1 page) PFBA in the Groundwater of the South East Metro Area For more information, contact: Doug Schultz MDH Communications (651) 201-4993 | Return to top | MDH Home | News Releases | S' http://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/drinkingwaterO 11907.html 2/1/2007 News release: Low levels of PFBA found in six cities' wells in southeast metropolitan area Pfig$ 4 of 4 Updated Thursday, 01-Feb-2007 12:34:59 CST )& http://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/drinkingwaterO 11907.html 2/1/2007 St. Croix R. Oakdale Disposal Site Washington Co. Landfill ELMO >T. PAUL 1-94 SOUTH ST. PAUL Malley Cr. Rd. DBUgYcn n )RT % 3M-Woodbury Disposal Site P-5 w PFC Plumes in S. Washington Co. Multiple PFCs - many, but not all, wells in this area above well advisory guidelines PFBA only, above well advisory guidelines PFBA only, below well advisory guidelines Outline dashed where extent unknown MM 4* )7 Perfluorochemical and Health: Environmental Health - Minnesota Dept, of Health Pagdl of 3 Hazardous Substances in Minnesota PFBA in the Groundwater of the South East Metro Area January 2007 Public Well PFBA Testing Results (PDF: 134KB/lpaqe) What is PFBA? PFBA stands for perfluorobutanoic acid. It is one of a family of chemicals known as perfluorochemicals, or PFCs. PFCs are made by 3M in Cottage Grove and several other companies around the world for use in household and industrial products such as: stain repellents, lubricants, fire retardants and suppressants, pesticides, surfactants, and emulsifiers. PFBA was made by the 3M Company at its Cottage Grove facility, reportedly for use in film coatings. PFBA may also be a breakdown product of other PFCs. How did we learn PFBA was in the groundwater? Learning about chemical contamination in groundwater is a step by step process. Though the discovery of PFCs in groundwater in Washington County is relatively new, testing information from the last couple of years suggests that the levels of PFCs in the groundwater are stable and not increasing. The testing information also suggests that PFCs have been present for some time. Our testing for these chemicals has improved since we began. 3M disposed of PFC wastes at three sites in Washington County: the former Washington County Sanitary Landfill, the former Abresch dump in Oakdale and another disposal site on the border of Woodbury and Cottage Grove. In 2004, MDH staff began collecting samples from private wells in the City of Lake Elmo to look for two PFCs, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Low levels of PFOA were found in a few private wells near the former Washington County Landfill. More testing in 2005 revealed PFOS and PFOA in a larger group of private wells in Lake Elmo and several city wells in Oakdale. Tests in several other nearby municipal water supplies, including Cottage Grove, Woodbury, and Hastings did not find PFOA or PFOS. In spring 2006, the MDH Public Health Laboratory developed methods to look for five more PFCs. Analysis of the water samples revealed that one of these, PFBA, is widespread. PFBA seems to move very freely in the groundwater; more so than PFOS or PFOA. It does not break down or degrade. PFBA is found in two distinct areas. One area of groundwater contamination appears to originate from the former Washington County Landfill in Lake Elmo and the former Abresch Dump in Oakdale. This area extends into the City of Woodbury. In drinking water near the disposal sites, multiple PFCs, including PFOA and PFOS, are found. Only PFBA has been detected in the Woodbury municipal wells. A second area of groundwater contamination is located further south and is primarily PFBA, with no detections of PFOA or PFOS. Confirming the test results of 2005, no PFOA or PFOS have been detected in these areas, but PFBA has been detected in all of the city wells in Cottage Grove, St. Paul Park and Newport, and some of the city wells in South St. Paul and Hastings. This area of contamination may originate from the disposal site on the border of Woodbury and Cottage Grove. Investigations are underway to determine if this site is the source of the contamination. \2 http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/hazardous/topics/pfbasemetro.html 2/1/2007 Perfluorochemical and Health: Environmental Health - Minnesota Dept, of Health P&?2 of 3 How does MDH decide if there are unsafe levels of PFCs in the drinking water? A Health Based Value (HBV) is the amount of a chemical in drinking water considered by MDH to be safe for people to drink daily for up to a lifetime. In 2002 MDH developed HBVs for PFOA and PFOS because PFCs were disposed of in dumps and landfills in Minnesota and had been found in groundwater. HBVs are advisory values and are used by state health and environmental programs as one tool for deciding what actions should be taken. Since 2002, new toxicological studies on PFCs have become available. MDH is in the process of re-evaluating the 2002 HBVs in light of this new information. As a cautious public health approach until the review is completed, MDH has been using the following well advisory guidelines: PFOS: 0.6 ppb PFOA: 1 ppb Again, as a cautious public health approach, MDH is using the well advisory guideline for PFOA of 1 ppb to evaluate all the PFC carboxylic acids, including PFBA. Similarly, the well advisory guideline of 0.6 ppb for PFOS is being used to evaluate all PFC sulfonic acids. These guidelines are used to determine MDH drinking water advice. When MDH looks at a chemical in water, it also considers if the chemical could evaporate out of the water when people wash clothes or shower and be breathed in, or if the chemical could be absorbed through people's skin. The chemistry of PFBA suggests that it does not easily evaporate from water. At this time, the exposure of most concern is through drinking water and not breathing it in or absorbing it through the skin. The US EPA and 3M are currently doing more studies on PFBA. We anticipate that PFBA should be less toxic to people than PFOA based on its chemical characteristics and on preliminary data from animal studies. Unlike PFOA and PFOS, PFBA does not appear to accumulate in animals or people. Once the studies are completed and reviewed, MDH will revise our advice for PFBA, as well as PFOS and PFOA. What is being done to monitor the situation? MDH will continue to monitor the PFBA levels in public and private wells in the southeast metropolitan area and will report the results to citizens, local communities, local governments, county governments and the MPCA so that people's health will continue to be protected. How can I reduce my exposure to PFBA? Based on the available information, there is no immediate concern for drinking water. If PFBA has been detected in your drinking water and you wish to reduce your exposure, there are some simple steps you can take. You could use bottled water for part or all of your drinking or cooking needs. However, widespread testing of bottled water for PFCs has not been done. Filters containing granular activated carbon (GAC) remove PFCs, including PFBA. Many common water filters contain GAC. Be sure that any GAC filter system is properly installed and maintained. Because GAC is not as effective at removing and retaining PFBA for as long as other PFCs, special care should be taken to change the carbon in the GAC at recommended intervals. It is unlikely that other types of common water treatment systems, such as water softeners or reverse osmosis units, would remove PFBA. Boiling the water will not remove PFBA or other PFCs. Beware of "fly by night" water treatment sellers. If you are interested in installing a water !l http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/hazardous/topics/pfbasemetro.html 2/1/2007 Perfluorochemical and Health: Environmental Health - Minnesota Dept, of Health Pa^e?3 of 3 treatment system of any sort, be sure to work with a reputable supplier. Printable information sheet (PDF: 37KB/lpaqeJ Who can I contact for further information? Minnesota Department of Health (health issues) James Kelly, Health Risk Assessor 651-201-4910 Ginny Yingling, Hydrogeologist, 651-201-4930 Helen Goeden, Research Scientist, 651-201-4904 Chad Kolstad, Engineer, 651-643-2103 Stew Thornley, Health Educator, 651-201-4655 Tannie Eshenaur, Health Educator, 651-201-4897 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (site investigation) Walker Smith, Public Information Officer, 651-297-7018 Dakota County Jill Trescott, Water Resources Office, 952-891-7019 Washington County (general groundwater issues) John Freitag, Public Health & Environment, 651-430-6707 Amanda Goebel, Public Health & Environment, 651-430-6477 This information sheet was prepared in cooperation with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. For more information about this page, please contact us at hazhealth@health.state.mn.us call 651-201-4897, or toll-free 1-800-657-3908 and press "4" to leave a message. Updated Wednesday, 24-Jan-2007 16:06:00 CST http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/hazardous/topics/pfbasemetro.html 2/1/2007 P-9 ___ o PUBLIC WELL PFBA RESULTS SYMBOLS O City well, tested for 7 PFCs, ND or only PFBA PFBA Concentrations PFBA not detected City well, tested for 7 PFCs, PFBA and other PFCs 3 City well, tested only for PFOA and PFOS A City well, not used in winter Public, non-community well, ND or only PFBA PFBA: 0.2 - 0.5 ug/L PFBA: 0.6 - 0.9 ug/L PFBA: 1.0-1.5 ug/L PFBA: 1.6-2.0 ug/L Results pending Prepared: 1/19/07 I