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Expanded Testing for Perfluorochemicals <br />As part of efforts to expand our understanding of the PFC contamination, in March 2006 the <br />MDH laboratory developed a test (Method #555) for five other chemicals from the <br />perfluorochemical group: <br />• Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), <br />• Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), <br />• Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), <br />• Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), and <br />• Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA). <br />Some of these chemicals have been detected in groundwater samples from monitoring wells at <br />the Washington County Landfill. The most recent water samples from private wells were also <br />re -tested for these additional chemicals. In private wells, PFBA, PFPeA, PFHxS, and PFHxA <br />have been found; PFBS has not been found. Three of the additional chemicals (PFPeA, PFHxS, <br />and PFHxA) were only found in wells that had previous detections of PFOA and PFOS. <br />However, PFBA was detected in wells that previously had no detections of PFOA and PFOS. <br />Due to limited research on these five PFCs, we do not have enough information to develop <br />HBVs for them. Based on the chemical characteristics of these five PFCs, it is believed that they <br />should be less toxic to people than PFOA and PFOS. MDH has decided to use the revised HBVs <br />for PFOA and PFOS as substitutes until sufficient information is available to develop HBVs for <br />these chemicals. Using the revised HBVs for PFOA and PFOS as substitute HBVs for these <br />chemicals will give an extra measure of protection for people's health. <br />Next steps <br />MDH and MPCA will be doing additional testing of private wells to determine the area affected <br />by the five additional PFCs for which we are now able to test. Alternate safe drinking water will <br />be provided when the drinking water testing results exceed the health guidelines. <br />We realize that this update, resulting from additional knowledge and information, may cause <br />some confusion. If you have questions, please feel free to contact any of our staff listed below. <br />MDH will continue to monitor private and public wells affected by contamination from PFC <br />disposal in Washington County and take appropriate steps to protect people's health. We will <br />also continue to give you updates as new information and developments arise. <br />Questions <br />Contact person <br />Phone number <br />E-mail address <br />about... <br />Groundwater <br />Ginny Yingling <br />651-201-4930 <br />virginia.yngling@health.state.mn.us <br />and wells <br />Health concerns <br />Jim Kell <br />651-201-4910 <br />ames.kell ealth.state.mn.us <br />Sampling <br />Jill Korinek <br />651-201-4913 <br />jill.korinek@health.state.nin.us <br />Alternate water <br />Shawn <br />651-282-2382 <br />shawn.ruotsinoja@pca.state.mn.us <br />supply <br />Ruotsino'a <br />City of Lake Elmo <br />Martin Rafferty <br />651-777-5510 <br />martin.rafferty@lakeehno.org <br />This information sheet was prepared in cooperation with the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. <br />Minnesota Department of Health+Division of Environmental Health+Site Assessment and Consultation Unit <br />651.201.4897, or 1.800.657.3908, press o+www.health.state.mn.us <br />