University of Wisconsin-Madison environmental engineering expert Christy Remucal told the committee that researchers have not found a way to destroy the chemicals or remove them from the environment on a large scale. She said that right now the best approach is to keep the chemicals from entering the environment in the first place, prompting Hesselbein’s comment.
'FOREVER CHEMICALS' IN WATER AND PACKAGING CAN RISK HEALTH, EPA SAYS
Remucal tried to reassure her that research continues.
A Wisconsin lawmaker believes the PFAS pollution in water in Wisconsin feels "insurmountable."
INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS FOUND IN SOME FAST FOOD: STUDY
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a family of man-made chemicals used widely in consumer products ranging from nonstick cookware and water-repellent sports gear to stain-resistent carpets. They’re also a key ingredient in fire-extinguishing foams.
They can accumulate and persist in the human body for long periods. Exposure may lead to cancer and other health problems.
A host of Wisconsin communities are grappling with PFAS contamination in the groundwater, including Madison, Marinette and the town of Campbell just outside La Crosse. UW-Madison researchers led by Remucal released findings late last year showing a plume of PFAS contamination in the bay of Green Bay.