Read the full article by Ben Meyer (WXPR)

“The City of Rhinelander will test for PFAS in the discharge liquid, or leachate, of its long-closed city landfill. The Common Council approved that action this week.

Also this week, the city’s PFAS consultant, Dr. Jim Tinjum, released a white paper with further information on the issue and its potential causes. Tinjum is an environmental engineer at UW-Madison.

PFAS refers to a group of manmade chemicals that, when ingested, is linked to health risks including cancer.

Two of Rhinelander’s five municipal wells are currently offline after the discovery of high levels of PFAS in 2019.

Tinjum’s white paper explains more about the nature of PFAS and explores possible local sources of contamination.

Tinjum suggested Rhinelander test the leachate of its unlined, uncapped landfill, which has been closed for about 40 years.

This week, the Rhinelander Common Council approved the plan by a 7-1 vote…”