Class B Firefighting Foam - Municipal Well Investigative Sampling Results
On this page:
Introduction
Results table
Descriptors for Results
Laboratory Analysis
Introduction
In February 2009, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) began sampling selected municipal water supplies for an expanded list of perfluorochemicals (PFCs) related to Class B firefighting foams. These systems were chosen based on the volume of reported use of Class B firefighting foams in training centers and the vulnerability of the wells.
Go to > top
City |
Wells Results |
Date Sampled |
Public Health Action |
Apple Valley |
Trace amounts noted |
2009 |
PFCs below health based exposure limits |
Bemidji |
Trace amounts noted |
2009 |
PFCs below health based exposure limits |
Brooklyn Center |
No detection |
2009 |
PFCs below health based exposure limits |
Burnsville |
Trace amounts noted |
2009 |
PFCs below health based exposure limits |
Cloquet |
No detection |
2009 |
PFCs below health based exposure limits |
Cottage Grove* |
Trace amounts noted |
2009 |
PFCs below health based exposure limits |
Goodview |
No detection |
2009 |
PFCs below health based exposure limits |
Luverne |
Trace amounts noted |
2009 |
PFCs below health based exposure limits |
North Mankato |
No detection |
2009 |
PFCs below health based exposure limits |
North St. Paul* |
No detection |
2009 |
PFCs below health based exposure limits |
Perham |
No detection |
2009 |
PFCs below health based exposure limits |
Pierz |
No detection |
2009 |
PFCs below health based exposure limits |
Pine River |
No detection |
2009 |
PFCs below health based exposure limits |
Randall |
No detection |
2009 |
PFCs below health based exposure limits |
Richfield |
Trace amounts noted |
2009 |
PFCs below health based exposure limits |
Rochester |
No detection |
2009 |
PFCs below health based exposure limits |
Winona |
Trace amounts noted |
2009 |
PFCs below health based exposure limits |
*indicates that the laboratory analysis was for List 555 (see below for more information)
Go to > top
Descriptors for Results
No detection – There was no indication of PFCs in the laboratory analysis.
Trace amounts noted – The laboratory analysis was able to detect a minute amount of PFCs.
PFCs detected above health based exposure limits – The laboratory was able to detect PFCs and the level(s) exceeded the health based exposure limit. MDH is working with the local municipal water system to prevent or reduce exposure.
Go to > top
Laboratory Analysis
The MDH laboratory currently analyzes water samples for two lists of PFCs, List 555 and List 551.
List 555 was developed earlier. It includes PFCs that are primarily of concern due to disposal sites in south Washington County.
List 551 While most of the PFCs of concern in Class B firefighting foams are included in List 555 (PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS), one - 6:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonate (6:2 FtS) – was not. The methodology used to analyze for 6:2 FtS also finds the other five additional chemicals included in List 551.
List 555
Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)
Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA)
Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
Perfluorobutane Sulfonate (PFBS)
Perfluorohexane Sulfonate (PFHxS)
Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS)
List 551
Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)
Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA)
Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)
Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)**
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)**
Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)**
Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA)**
Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoDA)**
Perfluorobutane Sulfonate (PFBS)
Perfluorohexane Sulfonate (PFHxS)
Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS)
6:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonate (6:2 FtS)**
**Indicates new chemical added to List 551
Go to > top
