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Study: PFCs Weakened Children's Immune Systems

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A major study involving PFCs could be making some people in the St. Paul suburbs feel a little nervous.

PFCs, or perfluorocarbons, are the same household chemicals found in contaminated groundwater near a number of 3M company sites.

The study found children in Scotland exposed to the chemicals have weakened immune systems, which makes them more vulnerable to infections.

PFCs were used for decades at 3M's Cottage Grove plant to make things like Scotchgard, non-stick cookware and firefighting foam. The PFCs were found to have contaminated groundwater and drinking water.

According to reports, people in some of the surrounding suburbs have higher levels of the chemical in their blood than the children studied in Scotland.

3M responded to the new report, saying it doesn't alter their view that there are no adverse health effects caused by PFCs.

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