MARINETTE COUNTY (WTAQ-WLUK) — A PFAS-contaminated property in Marinette County will be evaluated through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund process for possible federal involvement in cleanup efforts.
PFAS are man-made chemicals found in a number of products, including fire-fighting foam. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PFAS can increase cancer risk and can affect growth, learning and women’s fertility.
PFAS have been used by the Tyco Fire Products facility in Marinette County, with groundwater contamination found in the surrounding area.
In response to a citizen petition filed a year ago, the EPA says it is moving forward with additional work at the site.
“EPA has completed a preliminary assessment of two properties in Marinette, Wisconsin EPA evaluated documented PFAS releases from both properties and determined one, the JCI/Tyco Fire Technology Center located at 2700 Industrial Parkway South, is eligible for further evaluation under the federal Superfund process,” an agency spokesperson said. “The other property, the JCI/Tyco Stanton Property (also known as Ansul, Inc.) located at 1 Stanton Street, is currently under an EPA administrative order on consent to address arsenic contamination.”
The firm representing the petitioners, Cindy Boyle and Jeff Lamont, praised the EPA decision.
“We applaud community leaders for taking this important step and exhausting every available option to find a solution to their drinking water problem,” said Attorney Jorge Roman-Romero from Midwest Environmental Advocates. “EPA’s preliminary assessment that Tyco’s releases of PFAS warrant a closer look under CERCLA is a good sign. We are optimistic that the site inspection will contradict Tyco’s assertion that the company is not responsible for the entire scope of the contamination that is affecting so many families.”
There are lawsuits pending related to the contamination, including one filed by the state, which is scheduled to go to trial in December 2024.
