Vermont Business Magazine Governor Peter Shumlin provided an update today on perfluorocarbon testing results from water samples collected at three locations: Harbour Industries in Shelburne,the Vermont Air National Guard base in South Burlington, and the Pittsford Fire Academy. The three locations are part of a Statewide sampling plan to investigate sites where perflurocarbons, like PFOA and PFOS, may have been used. Private wells sampled near Harbour Industries in Shelburne tested clean for both chemicals. Results showed PFOA and PFOS to be present at the Vermont Air National Guard site, and in an underground storage tank at the Pittsford Fire Academy. Both sites have historically used firefighting foam in routine training exercises. No drinking water supplies have been impacted by PFOA or PFOS contamination at any of the three sites. The limited wells located near these sites are either inactive or have been tested previously and were not found to contain perfluorocarbons.
PFOA and PFOS are likely carcinogens used in a variety of industrial processes to make non-stick and weather resistant surfaces. PFOS specifically is known to have been a component of a special class of firefighting foams called aqueous film forming foams.
Vermont Air National Guard—Water samples were collected from an existing groundwater collection system on the Vermont Air National Guard base in South Burlington. Testing results showed a PFOA concentration of 9,300 parts per trillion and PFOS concentration of 38,000 parts per trillion. There is only one private agricultural well within a one-mile radius of the base, that is currently not in use. All residents within one-mile are connected to a clean municipal water supply system.
The base has undergone significant environmental testing and site remediation in the past decades, and has never been investigated for perfluorinated chemicals. Today’s results will prompt further site investigation.
"Being good stewards of the environment is a serious commitment for the Vermont Air National Guard," said Colonel Patrick M. Guinee, Commander 158th Fighter Wing "We care about each and every citizen in the State of Vermont, and we have a dedicated interest in the environment because we live, work, and are committed to this community. We will work with the State of Vermont to address this contamination in a timely manner."
Pittsford Fire Academy—Results shared in late April showed several residential wells near the Fire Academy to not be affected by PFOA or PFOS contamination. Pittsford’s municipal drinking water supply was also found to not contain either of the chemicals.
With recent attention being raised nationally to sites that have repeatedly used aqueous film forming foams, State officials tested an underground storage tank at the Fire Academy used to collect wastewater that drains off a concrete pad used for firefighting training on-site.
Tank water and tank-bottom sludge samples were collected from the underground storage tank. Results showed PFOS and PFOA detected in the tank water at 72 parts per trillion and 6 parts per trillion, respectively. Concentrations of PFOS and PFOA found in the tank-bottom sludge were 218,000 parts per trillion and 6,000 parts per trillion.
Groundwater testing will be conducted. Residential wells have not been impacted and will continue to be monitored as needed.
Harbour Industries—Water samples were taken from three private wells located in the vicinity of the current and former Harbour Industries properties in Shelburne; two are for drinking water and one is for irrigation. All three samples tested clean for PFOA and other perfluorinated chemicals.
Harbour Industries manufactures high-performance wire and cable products. A series of on-site monitoring wells at the former Harbour Industries site were also sampled this past Monday. Results are expected within two to three weeks.