Flood sediments in Duluth’s Fond du Lac neighborhood pose no health threat

For release: July 27, 2012

Contact: Anne Perry Moore, 218-302-6605

Flood sediments in Duluth’s Fond du Lac neighborhood pose no health threat

Testing of sediments, or mud, deposited by floodwater on properties in the Fond du Lac neighborhood of Duluth show that these washed-in soils pose no risk, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) reported today.

After their properties were flooded in June, some residents of the Fond du Lac neighborhood voiced concern that the sediments might contain dangerous levels of substances that could adversely affect health. One concern was that contaminated sediments behind the Forbay Dam may have been washed over their properties.

The city of Duluth heard their concerns, and asked the MPCA to follow up. On July 20, the MPCA hired a state environmental contractor to take samples of the sediments at five properties in the Fond du Lac neighborhood. The samples were then taken to a certified laboratory in Minneapolis, which reported the results of its analyses to the MPCA on July 25.

The lab tested the samples for eight metals (arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium and silver), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

 “The results for all samples are well below the Residential Soil Reference Values for metals, PCBs and PAHs., MPCA Superfund project manager Susan Johnson, said. “Given the very low, or nondetectable levels for the parameters tested, it does not appear that the source of the mud sampled in the Fond du Lac area is a contaminated area or reservoir.”

The MPCA’s latest advisories for the flood-affected areas of northeastern Minnesota are available by calling 218-302-6660.  Beach advisories are available by going to www.MNBeaches.org.

Broadcast version

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has had samples of the mud left behind by floodwater in the Fond du Lac neighborhood of Duluth tested to determine whether it contains substances that could pose a danger to health.

The samples were analyzed for eight metals, polychlorinated biphenyls, and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons.

The M-P-C-A says the test results for all samples are well below the Residential Soil Reference Values for the substances tested for. Moreover, given the very low or nondetectable levels for the parameters tested, the mud left behind by floodwater in the Fond du Lac neighborhood does not appear to be from a contaminated area or reservoir.

The M-P-C-A’s latest advisories for the flood-affected areas of northeastern Minnesota are available by calling 218-302-6660. Beach advisories are available by going to www.MNBeaches.org.

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