NH DES Releases PFOA Drinking Water Test Results

CONCORD, NH - The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) has received the drinking water well test results from an initial round of testing for Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) in Merrimack and Litchfield, according to a press statement.

The test results show levels of PFOA from 17 to 820 parts per trillion. Test results from the Merrimack Village Water District ranged from 17 to 90 parts per trillion.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not set an enforceable drinking water standard for PFOA under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, according to the NH DES. EPA’s Office of Water has, however, established a Provisional Health Advisory (PHA) of 0.4 micrograms per liter (μg/L) or 400 parts per trillion for PFOA.

That level is set based upon short-term contact and the EPA is currently developing guidance for long-term exposure levels, which EPA is expected to release in the near future. Since the EPA has not yet established a health advisory for lifetime exposure to PFOA, NHDES, out of an abundance of caution, has decided to provide bottle drinking water to locations using a private well for drinking water for human consumption that contains over 100 parts per trillion of PFOA. NHDES will reassess this situation once EPA provides more definitive guidance.

The Merrimack Village Water District public water supply wells all tested below both the PHA of 400 parts per trillion and the level at which NHDES determined it would be appropriate to initially provide bottled water.

Based on this first round of testing, NHDES has initiated additional testing of drinking water wells in both Merrimack and Litchfield.

What is PFOA?

PFOA, a perfluorochemcial (PFC), is part of a family of manmade chemicals that were used for decades as ingredients to make products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water, such as non-stick cookware, weather resistant outdoor clothing and gear, and stain resistant carpeting. Many chemicals in this group, including PFOA, are commonly present in the environment and do not break down easily.

Studies have shown that nearly all people have some level of PFCs in their blood. Potential health effects from exposure to low levels of PFCs are not well understood, according to officials. To date studies have not provided consistent answers as to whether PFCs can affect growth and development, hormone levels including thyroid hormone, liver enzyme levels, cholesterol levels, immune function or occurrence of certain types of cancer, according to the state.

However, advocates, like consumer advocate Erin Brockovich, challenge this assertion and have alerted officials she and other lawyers would be broadening their investigation into regional water contamination.

The NHDES and the Division of Public Health Services, in coordination with the towns of Merrimack and Litchfield, invite the public to Public Information Meetings to be held in the towns of Merrimack and Litchfield to discuss the results of recent drinking water tests related to an investigation of the presence of PFOA in drinking water.

Below is the meeting information:

• Merrimack: Wednesday, March 23, 2016, 7 p.m., James Mastricola Upper Elementary School all-purpose room, 26 Baboosic Lake Road, Merrimack, NH 03054
• Litchfield: Thursday, March 24, 2016, 7 p.m., Litchfield Middle School cafeteria, 19 McElwain Drive, Litchfield, NH 03052

The investigation into the potential presence of perfluorochemicals (PFCs) in drinking water in Merrimack began several weeks ago when Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics notified NHDES that perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was detected at low levels [0.03 micrograms per liter (μg/L)] in samples taken from four water faucets within their Merrimack facility, which is served by the Merrimack Village District Water System, according to the state.

PFOA has been detected in the Hoosick Falls, NY, water supply and in some private wells in North Bennington, VT, near other Saint-Gobain facilities. Because materials containing PFOA have been used at the plant in Merrimack and out of an abundance of caution, Saint-Gobain voluntarily tested the water at its Merrimack facility and intends to test the groundwater at its facility.

For more information, please visit the NHDES website at des.nh.gov or call Jim Martin, NHDES at(603)-271-3710.