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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of nearly 5,000 different synthetic chemicals that are used widely in products and industrial processes. A few of the most studied PFAS are known to be hazardous to human health. Since PFAS contamination was detected in drinking water in the eastern Twin Cities in the early 2000s, the chemicals have been found in water, sediment, soil, and fish all across Minnesota.

The MPCA tested for PFAS in groundwater at 102 of the 111 sites in the Closed Landfill Program:

  • PFAS were detected at 100 landfills.
  • At 62 landfills, PFAS levels exceeded Minnesota Department of Health drinking water guidance values.

98% of assessed closed landfills have PFAS contamination.

Closed landfill sites with PFAS detections

Map: 98% of assessed closed landfills have PFAS contamination.
The map shows Closed Landfill Program sites in Minnesota and the level of PFAS found at each site labeled. PFAS was detected at 100 of the landfills. At 62 of the landfills PFAS levels exceeded health standards and PFAS levels were 10 times above health standards at 16 landfills.
Facility County PFAS measure PFAS exceedance
Aitkin Area Landfill Aitkin PFAS exceeds health standard 5.14
Albert Lea Sanitary Landfill Freeborn PFAS detected 0.94
Anderson Landfill Wadena PFAS exceeds health standard 1.43
Anoka-Ramsey Landfill Anoka PFAS exceeds health standard 4.57
Barnesville Landfill Wilkin PFAS exceeds health standard 2.14
Battle Lake Landfill Otter Tail PFAS detected 0.4
Becker County Landfill Becker PFAS detected 0.11
Benson Landfill Swift PFAS detected 0.66
Big Stone County Landfill Big Stone PFAS exceeds health standard 1.66
Brookston Area Landfill Saint Louis PFAS exceeds health standard 1
Bueckers 1 Landfill Stearns PFAS detected 0
Carlton County 2 Landfill Carlton PFAS exceeds health standard 3.83
Chippewa County Landfill Chippewa PFAS detected 0.63
Crosby American Properties Landfill Dakota PFAS 10x health standard 15.33
Crosby Landfill Crow Wing PFAS detected 0
Dodge County Landfill Dodge PFAS detected 0.23
Eighty Acre Landfill Beltrami PFAS detected 0
Faribault County Landfill Faribault PFAS 10x health standard 20.67
Flying Cloud Landfill Hennepin PFAS exceeds health standard 3.71
French Lake Landfill Wright PFAS detected 0.37
Gofer Landfill Martin PFAS 10x health standard 1342.86
Goodhue Cooperative Landfill Goodhue PFAS detected 0.37
Grand Rapids Area Sanitary Landfill Itasca PFAS exceeds health standard 1.93
Hansen Landfill Blue Earth PFAS detected 0.26
Houston County Landfill Houston PFAS exceeds health standard 3.97
Ironwood Landfill Fillmore PFAS exceeds health standard 1.51
Isanti-Chisago County Landfill Isanti PFAS 10x health standard 49.33
Jackson County Landfill Jackson PFAS exceeds health standard 8.29
Karlstad Landfill Kittson PFAS exceeds health standard 2.5
Killian Landfill Todd PFAS exceeds health standard 3.71
Kluver Landfill Douglas PFAS detected 0.74
Koochiching County Landfill Koochiching PFAS detected 0.01
Korf Brothers Landfill Pine PFAS 10x health standard 18
Lake County Landfill Lake PFAS exceeds health standard 1.27
Lake of the Woods County Landfill Lake of the Woods PFAS exceeds health standard 9.71
Land Investors, Inc. Landfill Benton PFAS detected 0.53
Leech Lake Landfill Hubbard PFAS exceeds health standard 1.07
Louisville Landfill Scott PFAS 10x health standard 22
Maple Landfill Cass PFAS exceeds health standard 4.29
Meeker County Landfill Meeker PFAS exceeds health standard 3.8
Mille Lacs County Landfill Mille Lacs PFAS detected 0.37
Minnesota Sanitation Services Landfill Le Sueur PFAS 10x health standard 18.67
Murray County Landfill Murray PFAS exceeds health standard 1.53
Olmsted County Landfill Olmsted PFAS detected 0.09
Pine Lane Landfill Chisago PFAS detected 0.94
Pipestone County Landfill Pipestone PFAS exceeds health standard 5.43
Red Rock Landfill Mower PFAS exceeds health standard 6.86
Redwood County Landfill Redwood PFAS detected 0.27
Rock County Landfill Rock PFAS detected 0.63
Roseau County-Salol Landfill Roseau PFAS exceeds health standard 1.63
Sibley County Landfill Sibley PFAS exceeds health standard 4
Stevens County Landfill Stevens PFAS exceeds health standard 1.73
Wabasha County Landfill Wabasha PFAS exceeds health standard 1.66
Waseca County Landfill Waseca PFAS detected 0.23
Washington County Landfill Washington PFAS 10x health standard 2342.86
Watonwan County Landfill Watonwan PFAS 10x health standard 18.86
Winona County Landfill Winona PFAS exceeds health standard 1.47
Yellow Medicine County Landfill Yellow Medicine PFAS exceeds health standard 2.26