Regional Cancer Study Planned For Residents Near Contaminated Wells: Report

The Pennsylvania Department of Health is planning an "unprecedented" regional cancer study of residents in the Warminster and Horsham area impacted by contaminated wells near the former Naval Air Base, according to a report by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

According to the report, published Thursday, the study may include blood tests from thousands of residents in the area. The health department is exploring the study at the request of the governor, the report said.

Specifics of when it would begin and how many people would be included in the study were not immediately available.

The news follows a two-day public information session aimed to update residents on the latest concerning the contamination of perfluorinated compounds found in drinking water wells.

The contamination has caused wells to be taken offline as recently as this week. Wells in Horsham, Warminster and Warrington have been taken offline due to the contamination. State and local agencies have been providing bottled water to affected residents.

Perfluorinated compounds were once used in a variety of consumer products, such as fire-fighting foam, stain and water repellants. They are known to cause developmental, reproductive and other adverse effects, according to the Horsham Water and Sewer Authority. They are also linked to cancer.

“We are taking precautionary action to ensure all residents in the area are receiving water until we receive further guidance from the EPA on this matter,” Governor Tom Wolf said.

Click here to read a fact sheet on perfluorinated compounds in drinking water.