Copy - PFA

Fish

Water

Soil

Air

In the enviorment PFAs can be found in:

Today, more than 3,000 synthetic chemicals are classified as PFAS.

Nonstick cookware

Personal care products, like shampoo, dental floss, nail polish, and eye makeup.

Grease-resistant paper

Cleaning products

Water-resistant fabrics, such as rain jackets, umbrellas and tents.

Stain-resistant coatings used on carpets, upholstery, and other fabrics.

PFAs can be found in many daily items such as:

PFAs are man made chemicals that have been used since the 1950's. They can be found in many consumer and industrial processes. They have properties that resist heat, grease, and water!

Per-and Polyfluroalkyl Substances (PFAs)

Lower Infant birth Weights

Increased risk of serious conditions like High Blood Pressure

Decreased Fertility in Women

Increased Thyroid Disease Risk

Decreased Vaccine Response

Increased Cholesterol Levels

PFA Associated Health Issues

Drinking contaminated municipal or private well water.
Eating fish with high levels of PFAS.
Eating food grown or raised near places that used or made PFAS.
Eating food packaged in material made with PFAS.
Swallowing contaminated soil or dust.
Using some consumer products, such as ski wax, nonstick cookware, and stain and water repellant sprays for fabrics.

Humans are exposed to PFAs in many ways

They do not break down in the enviorment

Can move through soils and contaminate drinking water sources

Do not break down in the enviorment

PFAs Are Detrimental to the Enviorment

Several Downstream Lakes and Rivers in Dane County contain PFA's these include:

Dane Co. Wisconsin PFA contamination

Starkweather CreekLake MononaLake Kegonsa Lake WaubesaMud Lake Wingra Creek

Agencies that Monitor enviormental PFA levels:

There are 3 best proven ways to remove enviormental PFAs:

High-Pressure Membrane Systems

Ion Exchange Resins

Granular Activated Charcoal

Methods of PFA Remediation

Acceptable maximum contamination levels of PFAs in Dane Co is 4ppt

The DNR will investigate the contamination of PFAs and work with responsible parties to take any other necessary actions

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

EPA is committed to providing meaningful, understandable, and actionable information on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances

Enviormental Protection Agency (EPA)

Follow your local guidelines for eating the fish to reduce possible exposures.

Make sure the water you are drinking is tested and from a certified treatment system.

Be aware of packaging for foods that contain grease-repellent coatings

Avoid or reduce use of non-stick cookware. Stop using products if non-stick coatings show signs of wear.

Avoid stain-resistance treatments. Choose furniture and carpets that aren’t marketed as “stain-resistant,” and don’t apply finishing treatments to these or other items.

Avoid clothing, luggage, camping, and sport equipment that were treated for water or stain resistance.

Check product labels for ingredients that include the words "fluoro" or "perfluoro."

What can you do to protect yourself?

PBS Wisonsinhttps://pbswisconsin.org/news-item/what-epas-nationwide-pfas-rule-means-for-wisconsin-drinking-water/#:~:text=Public%20water%20suppliers%20must%20begin,technologies%20or%20take%20other%20action.

Enviormental Protection Agencyhttps://www.epa.gov/research-states/pfas-treatment-drinking-water-and-wastewater-state-science#:~:text=It%20is%20currently%20known%20that,and%20high%2Dpressure%20membrane%20systems.

Enviormental Protection Agencyhttps://www.epa.gov/sciencematters/understanding-pfas-environment

Minnesota Department of Healthhttps://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/hazardous/topics/pfashometreat.html#:~:text=Filters%20containing%20activated%20carbon%20or,lose%20their%20effectiveness%20over%20time

Public Health MDChttps://publichealthmdc.com/environmental-health/environmental-hazards/pfas/pfas-health-effects-ways-to-reduce-exposure#reduce

Center for Disease Control and Preventionhttps://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/PFAS_FactSheet.html#:~:text=Many%20PFAS%2C%20including%20perfluorooctane%20sulfonic,bioaccumulate)%20in%20fish%20and%20wildlife