Community Conversations: PFAS Contamination in Wisconsin- March 7th

The next Community Conversations is scheduled for Saturday, March 7th from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm at the United Methodist Church, 2703 Bongey Drive.

The topic will be PFAS - the forever chemicals that are polluting our environment. A presentation will be given by Dr. Thomas Pearson, U.W. Stout.

“The Social Discovery of PFAS Contamination in Wisconsin”

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) refers to a class of chemicals that have been used for decades in a wide range of everyday consumer products. They are also a source of significant environmental pollution and present a serious threat to human health. This presentation addresses why PFAS have become an environmental and public health concern in recent years. It explores the discovery of PFAS contamination in drinking water in Peshtigo, one of the first Wisconsin communities to contend with this issue. Through a discussion of Peshtigo, it examines the social and political factors that shape both community responses to PFAS contamination and efforts to address the problem.

Thomas Pearson is a professor of anthropology in the Social Science Department at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. For many years he has conducted research on the social dimensions of environmental conflicts in Wisconsin. His research related to PFAS focuses on how residents in contaminated communities cope with the discovery of toxic pollution.

All are welcome to attend this conversation.

Community Conversations is a local nonpartisan group started in 2015 to discuss topics that affect our community. Presentations include speakers and videos with conversations afterward about issues that affect the local community and Western Wisconsin.

Submitted information.