Avoid the foam on Battle Creek, pollution officials say after tests find chemicals

By Kristi Belcamino | TwinCities Pioneer Press | May 1, 2020

Read the full article by Kristi Belcamino (TwinCities Pioneer Press)

“State pollution officials are warning people not to touch foam on the surface of Battle Creek after confirming potentially harmful chemicals were found in samples taken in the past year.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in January asked 3M to come up with a new strategy for keeping perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances — known as PFAS — from leaching into surface waters near their old waste disposal site in Oakdale.

At that time, the agency warned nearby residents that the chemicals were found in foam along Raleigh Creek in Washington County.

Next week, they’re sending letters to Maplewood and Woodbury residents who live along Battle Creek between McKnight Road and Battle Creek Lake, where they recently confirmed elevated levels of PFAS in foam.

Officials haven’t determined whether the Battle Creek contamination is related to the Oakdale dumpsite. The agency said in a letter to elected officials that it will gather additional information to assist in finding the source and better understanding the extent of the damage…”

This content provided by the PFAS Project.