Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Jessica Mador
ST. PAUL, Minn.

Study shows declining levels of suspected carcinogenic in Miss. River

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Levels are declining of a suspected carcinogenic chemical found in fish in the Mississippi River, show data from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

A recent river sampling over the past year of the water and aquatic life from a 32-mile stretch of the river between the Ford Dam and Hastings, Minn., shows the presence of a chemical known as PFOS is generally falling. However, the survey found fish in the area still show higher levels of the chemical.

PFOS was used in manufacturing at 3M's Cottage Grove plant. The highest levels of P F O S are found downstream from the plant, according to the study. 3M phased out production of the chemical In the early 2000s,

Overall, the study's finding is good news for the river, although the contamination is still a problem for fish, said the MPCA's Katrina Kessler.

"It also means that we still have work to do at the lowest part of the pool and that we need to think more about how we can protect fish and wildlife and humans that eat the fish at that lowest part of the pool," Kessler said.

"PFOS accumulates in the livers of fish and we know that it bioaccumulates up the food chain," Kessler said. "So if a fish is consumed by a larger mammal, including humans, that PFOS ends up at higher concentrations of th blood stream of the organism that consumed the fish"