New Well Tests Show Higher Levels of PFOA

MERRIMACK, NH - The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services has conducted more water well tests around the Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics facility in Merrimack and found much higher levels of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in wells than previously found before.

The new tests, conducted between March 18, and March 21, 2016, have prompted the org to provide bottled water to those locations using private wells for drinking. The new tests, sampled from a one mile radius around the plant, found levels ranging from 0 to 830 parts per trillion (ppt) in private wells.

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“Of the 59 results received, 17 wells showed PFOA levels above 100 parts per trillion (ppt) ranging from 110 ppt to 830 ppt. In total, 20 water wells have tested above 100 ppt since the investigation began,” Jim Martin of the NH DES said in a statement. “Previous test results from the Merrimack Village Water District ranged from 17 to 90 parts per trillion.”

Martin noted that the U.S. EPA hasn’t yet issued a health advisory about lifetime exposure to the acid that is a man-made chemical used in a variety of products – like non-stick cookware, weather resistant clothing, and carpeting – that makes them resistant to heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. There is, however, an established provisional health advisory for of 0.4 micrograms per liter or 400 parts per trillion for PFOA. The EPA is currently working on “developing guidance for long-term exposure levels” to the chemical, according to press statements.

Martin noted that the department was working on an updated map with the testing levels but it would not be available until tomorrow.

The lack of an advisory from the EPA prompted U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-NH, to issue a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy urging her to expedite the release of a new health advisory standard for PFOA.

"Due to the increasing number of impacted communities,” she stated, “the unknown potential health effects related to using water contaminated by PFOA, and the conflicting standards as to what level of PFOA should prompt water treatment or use of an alternative water source, I urge EPA to expedite the determination and release of the new health advisory standard for PFOA as soon as possible.”

After contaminated water was found in Merrimack, more testing was done and it was also found in Litchfield. The NH DES tested more water and has found the acid in Bedford, too. A meeting in Bedford is scheduled for March 30, to discuss the findings.