Study Finds 3M Chemicals Found In More Area Lakes

[mojocatt]

Ya all catch this on the news?

Study Finds 3M Chemicals Found In More Area Lakes

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) ― A chemical formerly manufactured by 3M Co. has been found at elevated levels in nine more lakes in the Twin Cities region, likely entering the lakes through stormwater runoff, according to a study.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency collected fish from 20 lakes and two river reaches last spring and summer and analyzed the fish for PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) and related compounds. The company made the chemical for decades for Scotchgard, firefighting foams and other products before ceasing production in 2002.

Eleven other lakes in the study had little or no trace of PFOs.

The lakes study, released Tuesday, began after the discovery last spring of relatively high levels of PFOS in bluegills from Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis. That prompted authorities to advise anglers to eat no more than one meal per month of bluegills taken from Calhoun and four connecting lakes.

State health officials said in a prepared statement that they would evaluate the findings and determine whether additional warnings about fish consumption will be issued.

Three lakes in Minneapolis and six in surrounding counties contained fish with PFOS levels "high enough to possibly be of concern," said Paul Hoff, the MPCA's supervisor of environmental reporting and special studies, while 11 other lakes showed little or no trace of the chemical.

The lakes with elevated levels of PFOS in fish are: Lake Johanna (Arden Hills), Cedar (Minneapolis), Harriet, Hiawatha, Jane, Keller, Powers, Red Rock and Tanners. Waters with little or no trace of PFOS are Cedar (Scott County), Centerville, Colby, Green Mountain, Hydes, Independence, Nokomis, Peltier, Upper Prior, Sarah and Silver.

Source: http://wcco.com/local/chemicals.3m.lakes.2.641644.html

[Rainydaze]

That's really unfortunate. the contaminents finding there ways into our lakes and rivers is something we all should find very very alarming!

I would like to see more testing and crackdowns on big business when it comes to polluting our natural resources.

Real sad news!

RD

[Huey]

That's a really wide area. I wonder how the chemical was spread around?

[BoxMN]

 Originally Posted By: Huey

That's a really wide area. I wonder how the chemical was spread around?

Here is the wierd part for me... THey found it in Keller, but not Phalen or Gervais (or at least not so far). Keller is right in the middle of the other two lakes, and there is definite flowage through them. How can this be? That part makes me wonder about the testing method. That doesn't make sense.

I hope they continue to test and find out more about it, but it is just too weird in how the contaminated lakes are showing up. In the Phalen chain examples, even if it was something like dumped barrels JUST IN KELLER, it would make it to another lake... one would think.

I am not a guy supporting a potential polluter, but have seen poor testing before. I have also watched men in white suits testing on old 3M land before, and watched them unearth big leaky barrels (of who knows what...) in Oakdale as a kid, so I know these big companies were often big time polluters of "stuff" in the past. (BTW I have bio and enviro background, I have used testing services and tested for things in labs.)

[mojocatt]

I'm wondering the same thing about Hiawatha and Nokomis. They are almost within sight of each other, yet different levels.

It sounds like the MPCA is just starting it's investigation, so it might be a false alarm...

And my bad, I forgot to include my source.

http://wcco.com/local/chemicals.3m.lakes.2.641644.html

[BobberTom]

SO HOW DOES A LAKE LIKE RED ROCK IN EDEN PRAIRIE GET THOSE CHEMICALS IN THEM? IM SURE THERE IS QUITE A BIT OF RUN OFF FROM LAWN FERTILIZERS SINCE ITS PRETTY MUCH IN A HOLE.

[Bulldoggr]

I bet you are right on the run off

[anyfishwilldo]

Did the article mention, or does anyone know the affects these chemicals have on people?

[rauenhorst]

Its no big deal. Just don't eat the ones with three eyes that can walk.

[anyfishwilldo]

Ok, so if we catch this

throw it back?

[mojocatt]

 Originally Posted By: anyfishwilldo

Did the article mention, or does anyone know the affects these chemicals have on people?

No it does not, but I've found a few links out there that explain it a bit. The studies referenced seem to show very heavy doses of the substance. It's not really clear if it is a health concern or not. I don't think it will stop me cold from fishing, but I sure would like to know more.

Short summary:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PFOS#_note-0

From the MPCA:

"PFOS and PFOA are widespread and persistent in the environment, but little is known about their toxicity to humans. "

http://www.pca.state.mn.us/publications/wq-s7-50.pdf

Insanely detailed:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/chemicals/pdf/pfos-riskstrategy.pdf (scroll to page 57)