Document dnpgGb227vDzV0Njeqzk3aD70

anos Now eas: NOH sunoweasrc an choca n smaprvtevets, cityvata in Ext at, Boi (hutou/Jw health,sate.mn.usindex.hum) MN) SOFESHAEEAILMTEHNT News Release May 23,2017 J. MDH issues new guidance on chemicals in some private wells, city water in East Metro, Bemidji Updated health values offer additional protection for most vulnerable residents `The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) today issued updated health-based advisory values for two industrial chemicals present in groundwater in the East Metro area and in Bemidji. The updated values incorporate the latest scientific knowledge on exposure and health effectsofthe two chemicals, known as PFOA and PFO. MDH scientists have updated the values to better protect developing infants andvery young children. Drinking water with PFOA or PFOS, even at levels above the updated values, does not represent an immediate health isk. The values are designed to reduce longterm health risks across the population and are based on multiple safety factors to protect the most vulnerable citizens, which makes them over-protective for most residents. UPDATED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES AND PRIVATE WELLS `The updated values are health recommendations to local offcals operating public water supplies and to private well owners in the affected areas. In addition, these values are used by the Minnesota Pollutions Control Agency (MPCA) `and other agencies to take actionthatensures that polluting entites are held accountable for clean-up and remediationofcontaminated sites. The updated values are 35 parts per trillion for PFOA and 27 parts per trillion for PFOS. These values are lower than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency valueof70 parts per trillion. The updated MDH values reflect new state-level analysis ofthe potential for mothers to pass along the chemicals to fetuses `and nursing infants. "Public health and environmental officials have an obligation to use the best available information to protect Minnesotans' health," Minnesota Health Commissioner Ed Ehlinger said. As we get a better understandingofthe longterm impactsofthese chemicals, we need to update our guidance to enhancethe protections that were in place previously" `The updated Minnesota valuesreflectthe fact that PECs are water soluble and do not break down in the environment. "This means they can move long distances in the environment. PFCs can build up in the body over time. They also can be passed on to fetuses through the placenta and to nursing infants through breast milk. `GUIDANCE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND BREASTFEEDING MOMS MDH recommends that women in the affected communities who are currently breastfeeding, andpregnant women `Who plan to breastfeed, should contintuoe do so. Breastfeeding provides many health benefits to both mothers and infants.Pregnantwomen in the affected communities and those using water from affected groundwater sources to prepare infant formula may consider using bottled water or filtration to reduce PFC exposure. on p PFOAIand PFOS are two members ofa categoryofchemicals calledperfluorochemicals(PFCs). (http: [wwe health. state. mn.us divs eh/ hazardous topics /pfcs index himi) These chemicals were used for decades in stain repellants, non-stick cookware, and otherconsumerand industrial products. The 3M Company Hig botssaemn usvowsprossrl201T05N2a3I1e bird " 3688.0001 nae ews ene: NOH sus ow irc on chal smeaewele,cywater Et He, Bari disposed ofPFC-containingwastes in several disposal its in Washington County, and the chemicals subsequently moved into the groundwater across a wide area. The groundwater is used as a source ofdrinking water in many East tMheetrcoomcmoumnmiutnyi'tiseasi.rpTohret oBveemridtjhie-ayreeaarsgroundwater contamination is associated with PFCs in fire-fighting foam used at IMPACTED COMMUNITIES Stateof Minnesota health oficialshave identified about 120 private well inthe East Metro area (mainly parts ofLake Elmo and Cottage Grove not served by city water) with water that exceeds the updated values. In addition, Cottage. Grove, Oakdale, Woodbury, t. Paul Parkcand Bemidji have a numberof supplywels for their publicdrinkingwater splyascteemisntaefrfiemctmeedabsyurtehes utphadtatwieldl vparlouvesi.deAldlraifnfkeicntgedwactoemrmaunoirtbyepluobwlitchedrnienkwinMgDwHatheeraslytshtbeamssedwiglluibdeanacbel.e to put in Cottage Grove may issue an administrative State of Emergency in order to manage interim measures, such as watering bans. This is not a health emergency - thedrinkingwater system will be able to meetthe updated guidance. According to MDH program manager fim Kelly the previous guidance limited exposure to: very ow level - well below the level at which most people would be expectedto experience any health impacts. Recent biomonitoring data show that PFCs in East Metro residents have been dropping, and the updated values vil further reduce the long-term exposure isk for people withthegreatest vulnerability: "What we're lookitondgo with these update values isto limitth long-term exposurebelow a levelthatwould ead toa riskcof health effects in even the mostvulnerable people in these communities; Kelly sid. Thereis noway to quickly reduce PFC levels in the body so its important to mit how much ges into the body starting atan early age" `When updated values are ssued, MDH and MPCA work with local systems and private well owners to determine how bestto respond. Thi often includes additonal private wll sampling, providing filters for private well owners who may not have other options, and changes to communitywatersupplies to reduce PFC levels. Simple filters that go on the kitchen tap worl weltlo remove the chemicals from the water and reduce exposure. In some cases, using botled `water for drinking may be recommended until other remedies are in place. PUBLIC MEETINGS MDH and MPA, along with local officals, will hold two public informational meetings in the affected areas in the Twin Cities 6-8 pm. June 6 atOak-Land Junior High in Lake Elmo and 6-8 pn. June7 a Cottage Grove City Hall MCoEmDmIiAssNiOoTnEe:rMJDohHnCLoimnmeiSstsinieoannedr EMdPwCaArdstEafhfl,iwniglelrbaenadvapirloabglreatmomtaankeagqeuersJtiimoKneslflyroamlomnegdwiiatthodMaPyCbAeginning atnoon (12 p.m) via teleconference. Dial in: (855) 695-0679, conference ID: 28150510An. operator will answerand askforthe ID number: MDH. Media inquiries: Doug Schultz MDH Communications 651.201.4993 Ph astso te. oo 20TAGr S 3688.0002