MEJO and East Madison Community Center teens find significantly elevated PFAS levels in Starkweather Creek sediments

Earth Day 2020: Fifty years after first Earth Day, toxic environmental pollution still pervasive

 (Madison, Wis.)–New PFAS results, released before the COVID 19 lockdown, show significantly elevated levels of PFOS in Starkweather Creek sediments—muck on the bottom of the creek. PFOS is one of the most toxic PFAS compounds, and it builds up to very high levels in fish.

This is the first sediment PFAS data from the creek to date. Scientific studies have documented significant levels of longer chain PFAS compounds such as PFOS in sediments downstream of airports and military bases elsewhere, but government agencies here told MEJO there would be low (or no) PFAS in Starkweather Creek sediments—and if present, levels would be much lower than in water. Consequently, agencies did not think sediment sampling was needed.

Last fall when DNR released data showing high levels of PFAS in Starkweather water, the Midwest Environmental Justice Organization was planning projects with East Madison Community Center teens that would involve handling Starkweather sediments.[1]  After discussion with EMCC teens and leaders, we decided we’d test sediments before allowing children to handle it (since government agencies wouldn’t do it). Samples were gathered along the west branch of Starkweather Creek in late 2019 and brought to the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene for PFAS testing.

Test results showed up to 21,400 parts-per-trillion (ppt) of PFOS in sediments (dry weight).**** Total PFAS levels were up to 27,800 ppt. PFOS and total PFAS levels were significantly higher in sediments than in water at the same locations. The highest levels were found in Truax Field just downstream of the Dane County Regional Airport and Truax Air National Guard base.[2]

See Starkweather PFAS results below and map of testing locations here. This background document explains reasons for testing and context of the results.

MEJO sediment results compared to DNR surface water results at similar locations

C—comparison site–tributary not directly downstream of airport

* Level detected between detection limit and reporting limit (J-flag) **Following this protocol, MEJO’s total PFAS sums for sediment data include J-flags ***DNR water data is found here; total PFAS levels do not include J-flags

****PFAS results were reported by the lab in ng/g or ppb–parts-per-billion (move decimal over three places to the right for ppt or parts-per-trillion). Though wet and dry weights were both reported by the lab, dry weight is considered the more accurate way to assess/report results for solids. Also PFAS detection limits for sediment are much higher than for water due to challenges analyzing complex solid matrices. Further, some semi-volatile PFAS compounds that are measured in water cannot be detected in solid matrices with current methods so they weren’t included in these analyses. If detection limits for sediments were as low as water, more types of PFAS would be detected the total PFAS levels detected in Starkweather sediments would likely be somewhat higher.

Maria Powell, PhD, MEJO executive director, on  importance of sediment data and more testing

 “Fifty years after the first Earth Day–which led to the creation of comprehensive environmental regulations in the United States–it is very problematic that high levels of toxic pollution remain in waters, sediments, and fish in progressive Madison, Wisconsin, home of Earth Day’s founder, Gaylord Nelson. City, county, and state government officials and political leaders must insist that these toxic chemicals be comprehensively assessed and cleaned up now.”

“PFAS compounds aren’t the only toxic chemicals in Starkweather Creek sediments–there are many others. Last year on Earth Day, as reported in the Wisconsin State Journal, MEJO released an extensive report listing chemicals that have been discharged  into Starkweather Creek over the last several decades. Many of these chemicals remain in creek sediments. The report also outlined city, county, and state regulatory authorities and responsibilities that could be used to identify and address stormwater contaminant discharges, but are not for the most part.  Responsible government agencies should gather sediment contaminant data (or ask polluters to do so) to help identify the sources of these chemicals into the creek–and then use the powers they have available to demand that responsible parties clean them up without delay.”

“Unfortunately, many of the environmental laws developed since Earth Day aren’t working very well. Environmental regulations do not work if they are not followed by polluters or enforced by regulatory agencies.”

 Why sediment data is essential: ecological risks, human health risks, and environmental justice

“Sediment PFAS data is critical for understanding how PFAS compounds travel through aquatic food webs and for comprehensively assessing ecological risks to the creek, lake, fish, birds and wildlife.”

“This information is also key for understanding human health risks. Fish take up PFAS, especially PFOS, from sediments as well as water. People who catch and eat fish ingest these chemicals, which are associated with increased risks for many serious health problems, including immune system deficiencies, pregnancy complications, liver and kidney dysfunction, thyroid problems, and several types of cancer. Many shoreline anglers here in Madison are low income people of color who depend on this fish as a source of food—so they are disproportionately at risk for these health problems.”

“Many of the health problems associated with PFAS exposures, particularly immune system deficiencies, put people more at risk for viral and other infectious diseases—and more likely to die from them if infected.”

“Is it OK for children to handle these sediments? MEJO’s very limited testing indicates that significant levels PFOS levels are present, but more data is needed to understand the range of levels in creek sediments and accurately assess health risks from contact with the sediments. To protect kids and adults from the low income Truax and Darbo Worthington neighborhoods, and others who interact with this creek on a regular basis, gathering this data is imperative.”

“More sediment data is also essential for comprehensive cleanup. PFOS will continue to leach from sediments into water indefinitely unless sediments are cleaned up. More PFAS sediment data is essential to know where the hotspots are, identify sources, and then develop effective strategies to remediate them.  Government agencies should assure that more PFAS testing, including sediment testing, is done in Starkweather Creek as soon as possible.”

“Any construction at the Dane County airport and Truax military base will disrupt PFAS contaminated soils and groundwater and release it into the creek. No construction should be allowed until further testing is done, PFAS contamination is cleaned up, and steps are taken to prevent further PFAS releases.”

What do EMCC teens involved in the project think about the Starkweather PFAS findings?

“A problem this big needs to stop because this stuff can spread around the world and possibly affect human population,” said Mack Rimson, 17.

“PFAS is making it to where we can’t use the water or anything that comes from it,” said Kenyan Harper, 13.

“Want to know why we can’t eat fish we catch every day? It is something that is killing our environment called PFAS,” said James Xiong, 14.

“We need to stop trashing the creek.” Elijah Smith, 14.

Project photos: 1st—EMCC team walking to creek for testing, 2nd—at stormwater outfall to creek, 3rd—MEJO/EMCC team discussing results (before COVID “safe at home” orders)

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[1] For about two and a half years, MEJO has worked with residents in the Truax neighborhood on stormwater pollution issues affecting the creek (see Starkweather EJ project and Starkweather report).

[2] See attached map.