MARINETTE, WI (AP)— A newly released study says toxic PFAS chemicals have been found in Lake Michigan's Green Bay.
University of Wisconsin researchers say they detected a plume of the compounds and traced it to Tyco Fire Products in Marinette, which manufactures firefighting foam. PFAS chemicals are a common ingredient in the foam. They're also used in many consumer products, from nonstick cookware to water-resistant outdoor gear, and can accumulate and persist in the human body for long periods.
Researchers have traced movement of the chemicals in nearby groundwater and streams. They detected 17 different PFAS chemicals in the bay.
Scientists say the chemicals in Green Bay are dispersed and hard to contain or treat. Other experts are trying to determine how the chemicals affect Great Lakes fish.
