PBT Monitoring and Research in Wisconsin

Environmental Monitoring

• DNR’s Public Drinking Water Supply Database has information about levels of different chemicals and contaminants found in public water supplies.
• Wisconsin Fish Consumption Advisories are based on fish monitoring. Mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are the contaminants of greatest concern in Wisconsin's fish.
• Wisconsin Water Quality Report to Congress, 2006 provides a summary of water quality in the state including a summary of the River and Stream Miles that are impaired due to contaminants such as PCBs, Pesticides, priority organics including PAH and heavy metals including mercury.
• Historical Ambient Monitoring for Toxics including some PBTs was done as part of Green Bay Urban Air Toxics Monitoring Studies (1991-1995, 1995-1996); Wisconsin Urban Air Toxics Monitoring Studies (1996-1997, 1997-1998) and Fox River Cleanup Project. There is also some Historical Air Quality Data on mercury from Mercury Deposition Network studies and for several specific industrial sources.

Source Monitoring and Reporting

• The The Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) requires reporting of certain PBT chemicals. The reporting threshold for some TRI PBT chemicals was reduced beginning with reporting year 2000. TRI data for Wisconsin facilities reporting releases can be retrieved at EPA’s TRI Explorer - US EPA (exit DNR).

Research

Multiple programs within the Department currently have monitoring or research programs that address PBT chemicals. Some of these are directed toward an individual PBT chemical or a group of PBT chemicals, while others include a larger group of chemicals, of which, some are PBTs.

• Levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in eggs of Wisconsin cormorants (PDF 122KB)
• Effects of contaminant exposure on top predator populations
• Environmental Contaminants Research – Mercury
• Determination of the extent and source of lead contamination in woodcock (Scolopax minor) from Wisconsin (PDF 78KB)
• Mercury concentrations in Wisconsin River otters (Lutra canadensis) (PDF 73KB)
• Toxicity and Estrogenic Activity of PBDEs (PDF 242KB)
  Supporting Document - Report Figures (PDF 48KB)

Laboratory Certification

The Department of Natural Resources certifies and registers laboratories to perform lead tests for soil, water and waste testing for many of the agency's environmental programs. Included are testing procedures for PBT chemicals that have monitoring requirements under major Wisconsin and Federal environmental laws. Low level test procedures for mercury and new certification options for PAH’s have been identified by the program.

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