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

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

 (Madison, Wis.)–New PFAS test results, released just 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. 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]

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, total PFAS sums for sediment data include J-flags

***DNR water data is found here, totals do not include J-flags

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.”

 “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, 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 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: left—EMCC team walking to creek for testing, center—at stormwater outfall to creek, right—MEJO/EMCC team discussing results

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

[2] See attached map.

NOVEMBER 18, 2019:

Unknowns about the extent of PFAS contamination in Madison make it difficult to assess PFAS exposures to people–especially people in northeast Madison communities near the highly PFAS-contaminated Truax Field, including the vulnerable low-income Truax and Darbo-Worthington neighborhoods.

Anglers–particularly subsistence anglers–who eat fish from Starkweather Creek and Lake Monona are also at risk. At this point the available fish PFAS data points to heavy contamination restricting fish consumption to once a week or month. However, only fish fillets were tested, not whole fish. Many people cook with whole fish. We need whole fish testing.

Is Madison drinking water safe from PFAS contamination? PFAS has been found in several Madison wells. Well 15 in Reindahl Park was shut down due to PFAS levels, but now other north and eastside wells with some PFAS (as well as a slew of other contaminants) serve the area. What’s actually coming out of taps at people’s homes? They have never been tested, so we don’t really know what people are drinking.

Our government agencies should be doing this testing, but they aren’t.

To better understand people’s actual PFAS exposures–and take steps to eliminate them–MEJO is developing a program to test PFAS in tapwater, Starkweather Creek sediments, and fish from the creek and Lake Monona.

PFAS analytical testing will be done at reputable and accredited labs, but it is expensive!

Please consider supporting our efforts. Donations are tax-deductible.

Your donation allows us to do these tests:

$325   PFAS in tap water

$400   PFAS in fish c

$400  PFAS in sediment

Any amount is helpful: $5, $25, $50, whatever you can give is greatly appreciated!! 

PFAS Testing
USD
Testing Levels
5.0025.0050.00100.00325.00400.00

THANK YOU!

We will post test results here, no matter if they are good or bad. People deserve to know!