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PFAS Chemicals

Specialized PFAS Consulting Service in Wisconsin

Phase 1 & Phase 2 Assessments for PFAS Contamination

Hyde Environmental offers expert PFAS consulting services for properties in Wisconsin and across the Midwest. We work with property owners to conduct Phase 1 and Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) to test and remediate PFAS contamination. Our team evaluates your property for regulations set by the DNR and EPA.

PFAS contamination is commonly found near manufacturing facilities and military bases. Most recently in Wisconsin, PFAS chemicals have been detected in drinking water in rivers near Marinette and Madison. Contact us today for a quote on PFAS consulting services for your property.

Why Choose Hyde Environmental for PFAS Consulting?

Hyde Environmental specializes in environmental assessment and remediation, focusing on soil, groundwater and surface water contamination. Led by company President Jim Lindemann, we identify and pursue the best PFAS decontamination in the shortest timeframe to achieve state-accepted closure at the lowest possible cost. Jim’s deep experience in environmental chemistry and applied hydrogeology, combined with his team of experienced consultants, makes Hyde Environmental Wisconsin’s go-to choice for PFAS issues.

PFAS Sampling Expertise

Hyde Environmental's PFAS consultants have experience conducting site investigation services with groundwater, surface water and soil sampling for PFAS chemicals. PFAS contamination must be detected at the parts per trillion level, rather than the parts per billion or parts per million level, so we take special care during the sample collection process to prevent additional contamination. Hyde’s ESA experts undergo rigorous training to conduct PFAS sampling.

PFAS Consulting & Remediation for All Major Industries

Industrial Facilities
Manufacturing Facilities
Real Estate Developers
Chemical Producers
Municipalities

What are PFAS Chemicals?

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a large group of human-made chemicals used in industry and consumer products worldwide since the 1950s. PFAS substances have been used in non-stick cookware, food packages/fast-food wrappings, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant fabrics and carpets, some cosmetics, some firefighting foams and grease-, water- and oil-resistant products. PFAS do not occur naturally and are widespread in the environment, found in people, wildlife and fish worldwide.

PFAS contaminants commonly enter the environment through spills of PFAS-containing materials, discharges of PFAS-containing wastewater to treatment plants and certain types of firefighting foams.

What PFAS Chemicals Contain

PFAS = a family of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances containing carbon, fluorine and other elements
- PFOS = Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid
- PFOA = Perfluorooctane acid
- PFHxS = Perfluorohexane acid
- PFNA = Perfluorononanoic acid

The Health Effects of PFAS Chemicals

Scientists are still learning about the health effects of PFAS chemicals. The more widely used substances, like PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS and PFNA, have been studied more than other PFAS.

A large number of human studies have examined possible relationships between levels of PFAS in blood and harmful health effects. However, most studies analyzed only a small number of chemicals, and not all PFAS have the same health effects.

Known Effects of High PFAS Levels

Increased cholesterol levels
Decreased response to vaccines
Increased risk of thyroid disease
Decreased fertility in women
Increased risk of high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia in pregnant women
Lower infant birth weights

PFAS Health Research is Evolving

Several federal agencies are currently evaluating the human health risks of PFAS. Most people in the U.S. have PFAS in their blood, similar to the low levels observed in blood for other industrial compound classes, like flame retardants and plasticizers. While a blood test can determine the amount of PFAS in one’s body, there is currently not enough research to determine the level at which one would expect to see health problems.

The Evolving PFAS Regulations

U.S. EPA Health Advisory

The U.S. EPA has established cumulative-lifetime health advisories for PFOA and PFOS, the two most widely produced and studied PFAS, at 70 parts per trillion (ppt).

The Recommended Wisconsin Groundwater Standard

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (WDHS) has sent the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) recommended groundwater standards of 20 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS individually and combined. WDHS continues to work on additional recommendations for other PFAS.

The U.S. EPA health advisory level and the recommended WDHS groundwater standard are set to protect people, including sensitive populations like pregnant women and babies, from the health effects associated with PFOA and PFOS exposure. The groundwater standard recommended by WDHS is based on more recent scientific findings.

Revisions to Wisconsin Surface Water Standard

As part of the effort to protect surface water and public health across Wisconsin, the WDNR plans to work with key public and industry stakeholders, state agencies, the state Legislature, the governor and the general public to update Wisconsin’s surface water quality criteria regarding PFAS.

WDNR Protections for PFAS Remain in Development

The WDNR works to protect public health from PFAS exposure linked to surface waters and fish consumption across Wisconsin. Current efforts focus on developing human health surface water quality criteria for PFOS and PFOA, along with other PFAS compounds identified as potential health risks. The department also reviews guidance from other states and federal agencies covering PFAS presence in air, soil, water, fish and wildlife.

Where to Find More Information on PFAS

Additional information about the WDNR’s current PFAS activities can be found on the Wisconsin DNR’s website. Federal information can be found on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) website.

Get Started with a PFAS Assessment

As a first step to investigate different approaches to address a potential PFAS issue, please contact Jim Lindemann, Hyde’s President, at his office: (262) 250-1226, or on his cell phone: (262) 227-5878. Hyde Environmental is your go-to for environmental consulting and cleanup in Wisconsin and the Midwest. Contact us today to request a quote.

Hyde Provides Phase 1 & Phase 2 Environmental Assessments Midwest-Wide