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Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) <br />Information about PFAS well testing and filtration systems in the Twin Cities East Metro: Visit the Minnesota <br />Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) on the web at Well sampling in the east metro <br />[LINK https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-climate/well-sampling-in-the-east-metro-area] or contact the Minnesota Pollution <br />Control Agency East Metro Unit by email at PFAS.Well.Sampling.MPCA@state.mn.us. <br />PFAS are a family of human-made chemicals that have been widely used for decades. PFAS are commonly used for <br />their water- and grease-resistant properties. PFAS are extremely stable and do not breakdown in the environment. <br />They have been found in the groundwater and surface water in Minnesota. Some PFAS can build up and stay in the <br />human body for many years. They can also slowly decline if the exposure stops. <br />Our understanding and ability to detect PFAS in the environment has evolved since the Minnesota Pollution Control <br />Agency (MPCA) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) began investigating them in 2002. We consider PFAS <br />emerging contaminants. Emerging contaminants are contaminants about which we have a new awareness or <br />understanding about how they move in the environment or affect public health. PFAS, like other emerging <br />contaminants, are the focus of active research and study, which means that new information is released frequently. <br />Drinking water is just one way people are exposed to PFAS. To reduce the potential health risks from PFAS for all <br />Minnesotans, drinking water can be treated, and non-water sources must be addressed. At very low levels of <br />PFAS in water, lowering exposure to PFAS from other sources becomes more important for public health. <br />MDH scientists recently published an analysis demonstrating that, for most people, the majority of PFOA in their <br />blood is from non-water sources: Estimation of Serum PFOA Concentrations from Drinking and Non–Drinking <br />Water <br />Exposures [LINK https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/EHP12405?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed] . <br />Minnesota is undertaking PFAS pollution prevention measures including a new law known as Amara’s Law that <br />prohibits avoidable use of PFAS use in Minnesota by 2032. Prohibitions on PFAS in certain categories of products <br />begin next year. <br />Minnesotans can take simple actions now to reduce exposure. More information can be found on the website, <br />Reducing Exposures: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances <br />(PFAS) [LINK http://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/hazardous/docs/pfas/pfasreducingexp.pdf] .