JACKSON, Wyo. — On Monday, March 17, Town Council unanimously approved a contract between the Town of Jackson and Alder Environmental for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) testing in surface water.
According to the Town of Jackson, high concentrations of PFAS have been found in freshwater fish in the North Fork of the Shoshone River near Cody. Town staff noted that not enough studies have been done to determine if there’s a presence of PFAS in Jackson Hole’s freshwater fish and surface water.
The staff report states that PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, have strong elemental bonds that don’t degrade in the environment. This group of nearly 15,000 synthetic chemicals have been used since the 1940s in consumer products including paint, cleaning products, waterproof and stain resistant fabrics, food packaging, firefighting foam, cosmetics, ski wax and nonstick pans, according to a chemicals database maintained by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The Town Council said in its meeting’s agenda that PFAS can be found in the blood of newborns, in the placenta and in breast milk. PFAS are linked to an increased risk of testicular and kidney cancers, thyroid disorder, a higher risk of pre-eclampsia in pregnant women, decreased vaccine response in children, cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes and more. There is also evidence that PFAS can pose a threat to immune function, hormone balance and fertility in wildlife, per the staff report.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences wrote on its website that people can be exposed to PFAS by consuming contaminated water or food.
Town staff wrote that surface water PFAS testing at multiple locations in Jackson will provide baseline data to help identify potential sources of contamination, if detected. Testing throughout the seasons will also help determine ways to reduce potential sources of contamination, protecting wildlife that rely on groundwater and people who consume freshwater fish. New EPA regulations will also require testing of PFAS in drinking water soon, staff wrote.
The Teton Conservation District will provide 50% match funding for up to $7,500 for surface water PFAS testing.
