PFC Levels Higher in East Metro Residents

A Minnesota Department of Health biomonitoring project measuring PFC (perfluorochemicals) levels in the blood of east metro residents confirms they were in fact exposed to PFCs.
 

PFCs are often found at low levels in the US general population from a variety of sources, including food and various consumer products.
 

The pilot project found levels three PFCs in East Metro residents were slightly higher than the national average. The participants in the study were volunteers.
 

The results are to be announced at two public meetings on July 21 and July 22.
An open house will be held before and after the meetings. Residents may also partake in a Q and A session during the meeting.
 

In the study, health scientists interviewed and obtained blood samples from 196 randomly selected adult participants in order to measure the levels of seven perfluorochemicals in their blood.
 

Half of the participants’ homes received watrer by private wells in Lake Elmo and Cottage Grove. The other half were served by the Oakdale municipal water system.
 

Private wells required at least trace levels of PFOA or PFOS for the residents to be eligible for the study.
 

Since the initial discovery of PFCs in drinking water, actions have been taken to eliminate or reduce the levels in drinking water to below health based exposure limits.This is done primarily by carbon filtration of water supplies.
 

Individual results were mailed months ago to participants who indicated they wished to receive them. Participants also received other helpful information about national findings for PFCs in people’s blood, in general, and ways to reduce exposure to PFCs.
 

The study stems from 2007 state legislation directing MDH to develop and implement a statewide Environmental Health Tracking and Biomonitoring program.
 

There is limited information available on the health effects of PFCs in the general population. Studies by 3M workers exposed to PFCs during manufacturing show no apparent impact on their health. Studies on animals have shown some health effects, such as effects on the liver, thyroid, and pancreas. But it is unclear whether these problems are likely to occur in humans and at what levels of exposure.

Meeting Information:

Tuesday, July 21, 2009
6-9 p.m.
Skyview Elementary
1100 Heron Ave. N.
Oakdale, MN
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
6-9 p.m.
City of Cottage Grove, Council Chambers
7516 80th Street South
 

Cottage Grove, MN
Meeting Agenda
Open House, 6-7 p.m.
Presentation, 7-8 p.m., with time for questions and answers
Open House, 8-9 p.m.