CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS Minnesota Department of Health: Contaminants of Emerging Concern Initiative Presented by: Fatou Barry (Health Department Urban Scholar, Karly Oak (Health Department Urban Scholar, Laura Garcia Pimentel (PW- Surface Water and Sewers Urban Scholar)
What are Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC)? ● Substances that have not been evaluated to determine the amount that is safe for drinking, if they pose a threat, or have new or changing health or exposure information (Minnesota Dept. of Health) ○ Includes chemicals, medicines, personal/household produce, lawn care, and agricultural products ● They may harm humans who come in contact with them and can impact surface water and groundwater ○ Ex: drinking water, lakes, aquifers and rivers
Why do we study CEC? Improved research Industry and methods allow us individuals are Old chemicals are Found that many to look for new using new being used in new CEC are endocrine chemicals at lower chemicals in a ways disruptors levels than variety of products previously possible and applications
Examples of CEC ● Microfibers Microplastics Microbeads ● Lawn Care & Glyphosate (Roundup for Lawns) ● Agricultural Chemicals ● Outdoor pesticide Acetone (Sally Hansen) ● Household ● Nail Polish Remover Ethylene Glycol (Prestone) Products ● ● Antifreeze/ Coolant for Cars Acetaminophen (Tylenol) ● Pharmaceuticals ● Pain relievers ● Industrial chemicals Other Chemicals ● Manufacturing chemicals
Microplastics ● MPs are two types of particles ranging from: ○ 0.1 - 5 millimeters (mm) ■ Primary - manufactured (e.g, microbeads and industrial abrasives) ■ Secondary - Breakdown from larger plastic products ● Microplastics weather over time and they leach out plastic compounds into the environment ○ Could disrupt the endocrine system ● Lake Hiawatha Trash Study in 2019
What is being done about MPs ● Continuing research to sample and analyze microplastics ● Pollution prevention efforts ● Public education to reduce, recycle, and reuse larger forms of plastics
How MPs Enter the Environment Tires, surface runoff Degraded plastic waste Wastewater and from products flushed and agricultural sewage overflows down toilets and sinks plastics Household products Fibers released into Single-use plastic items like plastic such as shower drains and sewage from bottles and caps, straws, bags, curtains and utensils clothing and textiles cups, trash bags, wraps, containers, disposable diapers, etc
Ways to Reduce CEC from Environment ● Participate in prescription drug take back programs ● Disposal of lawn care (indoor/outdoor pesticide) and household products ● Use pesticides only when needed and not before a rain event ● Use organic lawn care product ● Install a rain barrel to collect water during rainfall ● Install native MN plants on your lawns
How to Dispose of Common CEC Hennepin Hazardous Waste Drop Off and Transfer Station South Hennepin f f Recycling and o Problem Waste - p Drop-off Center o r D e n i c i d e M
Nominating a CEC Minneapolis residents are encouraged to nominate contaminants Step Step Step Step 1 2 3 4 MDH determines if the Then, the contaminant is If the contaminant is Go to the MDH Nomination nomination is a put through toxicological eligible then it can be Portal and nominate the contaminant of emerging and MDH staff review placed under health possible contaminant concern guidance by MDH Credit to Diana Nguyen; 2019 Urban Scholar; modified image MDH Video on Nomination Process
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Grant Proposal • Focused on increasing knowledge and understanding of contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) in drinking water • Reducing the release of Contaminants • Funds outreach programs and activities related to Contaminants • Funds research to identify and evaluate Minnesotans’ knowledge and attitudes of Contaminants
Goals of the Grant • Increasing public knowledge of: • The health effects of CEC • Where CEC come from and how they enter environments • How personal actions contribute to the release of CEC • How personal actions can reduce exposure to CEC
CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS Minneapolis Health Department Grant Elements
Element 1: Transient Non-Community Water System (TNCWS) • Goal: Understand why people are selecting TNCWS wells as their drinking water over tap and inform about other options • Learning about well use for intended purposes vs regular source of water • Surveys, educational materials, and outreach opportunities.
Element 2: Green Zones Education and Outreach • Partnership between the MHD and the Public Works Department -- SWS • Takes place in the South and North Side City Green Zone • Spread awareness on contaminants of emerging concern • Provide resources and identify needs and concerns related to water and CEC
Other Citywide Drinking Initiatives: Lead and Healthy Homes • The city has many preventative measures in place to ensure the Minneapolis drinking water is lead free, or within the legal limit • The use of orthophosphate in the water treatment process reduces the chance of corrosion of the pipes • Mineral build up also reduces corrosion • Lead is often released when there is a disturbance in the service lines • The city tests sites where service lines break and or are damaged Additional Info on MDH Lead CEC
Drinking Water Lead Testing Sites • MDH accredited several laboratories to conduct lead testing of water • To find these labs go to MDH’s search query • Click Custom Search • In the Analyte menu select “lead” • Click “accepts samples from private homeowners”
Lead & Housing • Primary concern in Minneapolis is lead in the homes, specifically lead-based paints • 95% of elevated levels of lead are caused by paint dust • Peeling or damaged lead paint • Lead dust can be released and settles where it can be breathed in or ingested by children. • Consumer products - cookware and some vinyl toys
Other Citywide Drinking Initiatives: The Healthy Living Team Rethink Your Drink • Conducting surveys and engaging with community members regarding perceptions of tap water • Attended 41 community events to collect data
Healthy Living Team Continued Hydration Stations • Providing funding to install new water fountains • Provides 250 water bottles to schools • Focused on education on the importance of water
Contacts Moriah Maternoski - Hydration Stations Info Markeeta Keyes- Environmental Programs • moriah.maternoski@minneapolismn.gov • markeeta.keyes@minneapolismn.gov Kristen Kingler - Rethink Your Drink Initiative Jenni Lansing- Environmental Programs • kristen.kingler@minneapolismn.gov • jenni.lansing@minneapolismn.gov George Kraynick- Water Treatment Manager Alexander Vollmer - Lead and Healthy Homes • george.kraynick@minneapolismn.gov • Alexander.Vollmer@minneapolismn.gov
Action Plan • Feedback survey on the presentation • Best way to deliver/spread message to the greater community • Are you interested in sitting on a committee? • Are there events/convenings that we can reach out to the community?
Recommend
More recommend
