OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Programs at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh dedicated to studying freshwater are getting a $505,000 boost in funding.
The prevalence of PFAS, or “forever chemicals” in water has been well documented. And their potential impacts can be concerning.
“Some of the harmful health effects- some people’s exposure to certain PFAS- can include certain types of cancer, thyroid and heart issues, infertility and low birth weight and developmental delays,” Wisconsin DNR Director of the Office of Emerging Contaminants Mimi Johnson said.
Because of that, faculty at UW-Oshkosh are looking to better understand PFAs and other contaminants.
“PFAS is one of those,” Greg Kleinheinz, UW-Oshkosh Professor and Director of the Environmental Research and Innovation Center said. “Of course it’s been in the news in Wisconsin. Cyanobacteria, microplastics is another big one. We hope as the student faculty research and these community student faculty research projects take off that they will focus on some of those topics because those are the things that we hear from the people that they’re most concerned with.”
Now, UW-Oshkosh can expand programs for K-12 students, collaborations between students and industry professionals and faculty research projects. It’s made possible by the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin. For Kleinheinz, the financial help represents a chance to study an even greater range of issues.
“I’ve been in the UW System 25 years and it’s the most exciting initiative I’ve seen,” Kleinheinz said. “In our particular case, we’re out there in over 20 communities in Wisconsin allowing our students to be embedded and work with those communities and help solve problems in those communities.”
Funding from the Freshwater Collaborative will be used to study both PFAs and algal blooms. Faculty at UW-Oshkosh hope it can make a real-world impact.
“Community partners have answers that they wouldn’t have otherwise had, maybe some technology developments, some students that are graduated and out working in the water sector in Wisconsin,” Kleinheinz said.
The added research is also encouraging for the Wisconsin DNR. Johnson believes continued sampling will help identify sources.
“One of those actions that were able to take is to really intervene and drinking water is a primary source of exposure, so we’re able to help put in treatments — dig new wells, build new infrastructure for communities so they have access to cleaner water,” Johnson said.
The Freshwater Collaborative is an initiative backed by the state Legislature and Gov. Tony Evers.
The funding will support projects at UW-Oshkosh for the next two years.
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