Elevated Levels of PFCs Found Near Former Salem Landfill

CONCORD, NH - The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) announced today that groundwater monitoring well results collected at the former LL&S Construction and Demolition Debris Landfill in Salem showed elevated concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), according to a press statement.

In response to a request from NHDES, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) collected and analyzed water samples from 10 monitoring wells adjacent to the landfill, according to Jim Martin, the public information officer for the NH DES.

"The test results showed that the groundwater samples contained PFOA concentrations ranging from 2.5 parts per trillion (ppt) to 560 ppt, and PFOS concentrations ranging from 1.3 ppt to 260 ppt," he noted. "New Hampshire’s Ambient Groundwater Quality Standard was recently set at 70 ppt for PFOA, PFOS, and for PFOA and PFOS combined. To further evaluate the extent of the impact, NHDES will be sampling nearby water supply wells in the vicinity of the landfill."

The 16 acre former landfill is unlined, operated from 1978 to 1984, and received construction and demolition debris. The landfill was capped with soil and loam in 1986, according to Martin.

ALSO READ:

• NHDES Hosts Bedford PFOA Meeting on June 2
• Bedford Residents Now Getting Bottled Water
• EPA Releases New 'Lifetime' PFOA Exposure Level Data
• NH DES: Elevated Levels of PFOA Found in Amherst
• Plant Agrees to Fund Design Costs for Potential Public Water Extension
• PFOA Water Test Update: 400 Receiving Bottled Water
• Merrimack Plant Samples: PFOA Up to 5,800 PPT
• State Expands PFOA Water Investigation
• State Releases More PFOA Data, Maps
• New Well Tests Show Higher Levels of PFOA
• Perfluorooctanoic Acid Found in Merrimack Water
• NH DES Releases PFOA Drinking Water Test Results
• State to Discuss PFOA Water Test Results Next Week
• Perfluorooctanoic Acid Found in Bedford Water
• Contaminants Found in Pease Drinking Water
• 19 Pease Water Contaminant Questions & Answers

The site is currently operating as L.L. & S. Inc. Lowell Road Wood Processing Facility. Portions of the site were reportedly utilized as an auto salvage yard as early as the 1950s. Historically several fires have been associated with the landfill property dating back to the mid-1980s. A massive fire at the facility was reported in September 2015.

"It is suspected that aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), a fire fighting agent containing PFCS, may have been used to fight some of those fires," he stated. "NHDES began monitoring groundwater at the site in 1984; monitoring has continued to be conducted by the site owner under a Groundwater Management Permit issued by NHDES."