Testing public water supplies for "forever chemicals,” then charging polluters to clean up contaminated sites.
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Foam present in Starkweather Creek in October shows elevated levels of PFOS and PFOA. File photo courtesy of the DNR.
The state would test public water supplies for so-called forever chemicals known as PFAS and require polluters to commit funds to pay for cleanup of contaminated sites under a plan released Wednesday.
The Wisconsin PFAS Action Plan outlines 25 action items to address perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly called PFAS, in response to growing concerns over their impact on public health. The chemicals are found in firefighting foam and everyday products, and they don’t break down easily in the environment. PFAS has been linked to health problems, including cancer, thyroid disease and reproductive issues.