Read the full article by Makenzie Huber (South Dakota Searchlight)
“Nearly six years after Sioux Falls officials filed a federal lawsuit against chemical manufacturers for pollution discovered in the city’s groundwater, the city received its first installment of settlement money this June: $37.2 million.
Dave Pfeifle, city attorney, said in an emailed statement that the funds will be reserved to ‘replenish, protect, and secure source water’ for the city. Vanessa Gomez, the mayor’s chief of staff, added that the city is in the process of determining the “best course of action” to place the settlement funds into a ‘restricted and committed’ fund to achieve that goal.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s, including in modern products such as nonstick cookware and water-resistant clothing, and don’t break down easily in the environment or in the human body. Research indicates PFAS exposure may be linked to negative developmental and reproductive effects, and an increased risk of some cancers.” …