ST PAUL, Minn. — Residents who live near a creek in Washington County and another in Ramsey County are getting warning letters this week that a contaminated foam has been found in the streams.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said samples of foam taken from Raleigh Creek in Oakdale and Battle Creek in St. Paul contained elevated levels of PFAS, a chemical manufactured by 3M, that can accumulate in the body and has been linked to cancers, low birth weights and liver and thyroid damage.
However, the Department of Health said there was low-risk risk from skin exposure to the foam if contact was “minor and infrequent.”
“The foam does not pose a direct human health concern,” said Jim Kelly an environmental manager with the Department of Health. “You have to ingest it for it be a concern.”
Because the contaminated foam looks the same as naturally occurring foam, the Health Department recommends avoiding any foam in the two creeks. People or animals who do come into contact with the foam should wash their skin or fur with soap and water, according to the Department’s recommendations.
The MPCA said the source of the foam in Raleigh Creek is directly from 3M’s disposal site in Oakdale. The agency sent 3M a letter last week instructing the company to come up with a plan to reduce the PFAS coming from the site.
The source of the Battle Creek contamination is not yet clear, the MPCA said.
The MPCA also found PFAS along the surface water of both creeks, but the agency said it was at low enough levels that the water is still safe enough for recreation.
There is no risk to drinking water from the contaminated creeks, the MPCA said. The agency said it is not aware of any potential dangers to fish or wildlife in the streams.
PFAS is part of a group of man made chemicals that have been produced by numerous companies since the 1940s, including 3M. Because of its ability to repel water and oil and withstand high temperatures, it is used to produce products like Teflon and stain-resistant clothing.
The chemical does not break down in the environment and can easily travel through soil to groundwater. With six of the city of Woodbury’s wells shut down due to the contamination, the city council approved an emergency declaration last week to build a temporary water treatment facility.
In February of 2018, 3M agreed to give the state of Minnesota $850 million as part of a settlement of a groundwater contamination lawsuit brought by then-Attorney Gen. Lori Swanson.
3M has consistently denied that the chemicals cause any harm to human health. In a statement, the company said, "3M is committed to continuing our working relationship with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to monitor former disposal sites. We will review the MPCA’s full report and take appropriate steps consistent with our regulatory obligations and our commitment to environmental stewardship."
