The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has issued an advisory that says a human-made chemical compound is in groundwater across Illinois. In most water systems, it’s in levels below what must be reported. But the regulators haven’t decided how much is enough to worry about.
The compound’s abbreviation is PFNA (for perfluorononanoic acid), and it’s part of the PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances and perfluoroalkyl substances) compound family used in waterproofing clothing and making food packaging not soak up and leak grease. The compounds have been used since the 1940’s. They don’t break down easily and are suspected of causing health problems including kidney disease, low birth weights, and high cholesterol.
Wells sampled in this area during the last year had less than reportable levels. But samples haven’t been taken yet from some places including Dalzell, Spring Valley, Ladd, Seatonville, DePue, Mark, Granville, and Sheridan Correctional Center. Results aren’t available yet for samples taken from LaSalle.
Click this link for an interactive map of well samples and results.