High Levels of Toxic Teflon Chemicals Found in Mississippi River Fish

October 25, 2005

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Minneapolis - Fish from the Mississippi River have been found to contain among the highest recorded concentrations of synthetic toxic chemicals used in Teflon, Scotchguard, Gore-Tex and other products, according a state scientist. Coming eight years after the same chemicals were found in random Red Cross human blood samples, the findings highlight the snail’s pace at which the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has responded to this and other toxic threats to the public’s health, according to the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP).

Until recently, 3M was the sole manufacturer of this family of chemicals, called perfluorochemical compounds (PFCs). At one time, 3M’s Cottage Grove plant discharged an estimated 50,000 pounds of PFCs into the Mississippi each year, according to MPCA. Prior to becoming the current MPCA Commissioner, Sheryl Corrigan was a 3M manager.

“For at least six years we’ve known that PFCs are among the most persistent chemicals ever devised,” said Marie Kulick, Senior Associate with IATP’s Food and Health Program. “They accumulate in people, in fish and in the environment. Despite 3M’s claims they present no threat, they’re toxic to mammals, and EPA’s science advisors recently acknowledged one 3M-manufactured PFC, called PFOA, likely causes cancer. What’s surprising is how long it took for the MPCA to look for PFCs in our own backyard.”

IATP has recommended several steps the MPCA should take to better assess and inform Minnesotans to what extent their lakes, rivers, fish, wildlife, and their own bodies are contaminated with PFCs and other toxic chemicals. MPCA should immediately disclose all of its research on PFCs; do more testing to better understand the possible health impacts; and work closely with the Department of Health to issue advisories informing anglers about fish contamination with PFCs, in addition to mercury and PCBs. IATP’s recommendations were made in a September 24 letter to Commissioner Corrigan.

Data on PFCs found in Mississippi smallmouth bass, walleye and other fish were reported yesterday by one of the MPCA’s own scientists, Dr. Fardin Oliaei. Dr. Oliaei is suing the MPCA under the Whistleblower Protection Act. The suit accuses the MPCA of blocking Dr. Oliaei from completing her PFC research, and keeping it from being made public. The PFC data also comes on the heels of MPCA’s controversial handling of new state rules over environmental emissions of mercury, a well-known brain toxin that also accumulates in fish.

Also reported by Dr. Oliaei were data showing concentrations of PFCs in Mississippi River water and sediments. Earlier this year, PFCs were found in drinking water supplies for Oakdale and Lake Elmo, apparently related to 3M waste disposed of in the Oakdale dump and the nearby Woodbury landfill. Minnesota Public Radio has reported that an estimated 45 tons of perfluorochemical wastes are buried at the landfill. The groundwater below the landfill is not treated before it reaches the Mississippi River.

“With about 1700 new chemicals entering commerce each year, and being so little tested for safety, the MPCA ought to pay special attention to the early warnings raised by public scientists like Dr. Oliaei,” said Kulick.

“With Teflon chemicals ending up in our fish, drinking water and human blood, it’s time to admit we need to totally overhaul how toxic chemicals are produced and regulated in this state,” said David Wallinga, M.D., IATP’s Director of Food and Health. “If we can’t trust our state government to monitor and react quickly to threats to our air, drinking water and fish, who can we trust?”

Results of Dr. Oliaei’s PFC research can be found at: www.peer.org.

To read IATP’s letter to MPCA go to iatp.org/foodandhealth.

The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy promotes resilient family farms, rural communities and ecosystems around the world through research and education, science and technology, and advocacy.

NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for research and educational purposes.

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