Vermont Business Magazinne Governor Peter Shumlin met Wednesday evening with North Bennington-area residents concerned about the contamination of a number of private wells by a potentially harmful chemical known as PFOA. The public water source has been tested multiple times in the last month and is not impacted. At a community meeting at Bennington College, Governor Shumlin and his team of environmental and health officials shared the results that have come back from the initial testing of roughly 190 private wells in a 1.5 mile radius around the former Chemfab plant.
Of the 134 results received thus far:
· 94 private wells showed PFOA levels above the Health Department’s acceptable level of 20 parts per trillion (ppt). Those results ranged from 32ppt to 2,730ppt.
· 7 samples had detections below 20ppt.
· 32 samples did not detect PFOA.
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has mapped the results and determined that additional testing should be conducted in three areas outside of the initial 1.5 mile radius, representing up to 100 additional wells. Residents in those areas will be notified, water samples will be collected, and residents will be provided bottled water while test results are pending. Results from these additional test are expected in about two weeks.
“It is good news that we have been able to identify a number of areas where we feel confident the contamination has not spread,” Gov. Shumlin said. “We’re obviously concerned about a few areas where we believe the contamination might extend beyond the original 1.5 mile radius. We’ll immediately notify residents, get them on bottled water, and conduct tests. We are working out of an abundance of caution when it comes to identifying additional wells to test.”
The governor also highlighted that soil sampling began today around the former Chemfab facility and will include samples at impacted residences. The sampling plan will include more than 100 samples at over 25 locations. Results will be available in the coming weeks.
At the meeting, DEC, the Department of Health, and Agency of Agriculture also provided an update to residents on the potential impacts of PFOA on agricultural products. Through the soil sampling that began today, the nature and extent of the contamination will be determined before taking the step to test local agricultural products. This approach allows the State to identify the impacted areas and provide assistance to residents within those areas. Health officials noted that the immediate concern is determining those with impacted drinking water, as that is the most likely source of long-term exposure to PFOA. A factsheet provided to residents is attached.
DEC continues to go door to door to explain the results, answer questions, and coordinate installation of water treatment systems for residents whose wells have tested positive for PFOA contamination. The Health Department is also reaching out by phone to residents who have just received test results that show their well is contaminated with PFOA.
Bottled water remains available at the North Bennington Village Variety Store, located at 9 Route 67 West, and is being delivered to impacted homes. Two water tanks from which residents can draw water are located in the parking lot across from the former Chemfab plant located at the intersection of Water Street and Route 67a.
An information center has been set up at the Vermont Department of Health offices located at 324 Main Street and will be open from 8am-6pm Monday-Friday. Officials from DEC and Health will be on hand to answer follow up questions from residents.
Frequently Asked Questions about PFOA and Agricultural Products
Chemical formula for PFOA (Flourine, Oxygen, Hydrogen). The Department of Environmental Conservation is working with other state agencies to determine the nature and extent of PFOA contamination before taking the step to test local agricultural products.
The Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets has provided the following information about the possible impacts to agricultural products based on the scientific literature available.
What are potential impacts to corn or hay crops grown on soils with elevated levels of PFOA?
Studies show that corn and hay have the ability to take up PFOA and can accumulate this contaminant to levels many times higher than the soil concentration, even when PFOA soil concentrations are low. Generally the higher the concentration of PFOA in the soil, the higher the concentration could be in the plants.
What are potential impacts to milk from a cow ingesting feed and water containing PFOA?
The scientific literature suggests that if lactating cows and sheep are switched to clean feed and water sources, within five days the level of PFOA in their milk should be reduced.
What are potential impacts to meat from a dairy animal that has consumed PFOA contaminated feed or water?
The scientific literature suggests that cattle and sheep should be given clean feed and water for at least 21 days prior to slaughter to minimize exposure to PFOA.
Is it OK to eat vegetables from my garden?
While no direct testing of garden soils or vegetables has been done yet, scientific studies show that PFOA uptake differs among types of produce. While leaves and stems of most plants apparently accumulate PFOA from soil they are grown in, the storage compartments (grain, fruit, tubers) show much lower PFOA levels – the higher the soil concentration of PFOA, the higher the concentration of PFOA in the plants.
Root and leafy vegetables also tend to adhere soil to the surface of the produce. If PFOA is found in soil, thoroughly washing root and leafy green vegetables with bottled water will further reduce exposure to PFOA from growing produce in soil contaminated with PFOA and/or watering produce gardens with PFOA contaminated water. One could also peel root vegetables prior to consumption.
Are the eggs from my home chicken flock OK to eat?
Chickens will take up PFOA from contaminated feed, water and ingested soil. PFOA may stay in the body of chickens for more than 30 days, even after being switched to a PFOA-free diet and environs. PFOA will transfer to eggs to a level that is proportional to their exposure, primarily in the yolk of contaminated eggs. Chickens should be given clean feed, water and environs for 30 days to minimize exposure to PFOA in eggs.
Can I have my soil and agricultural products tested?
The Department of Environmental Conservation is working with other state agencies to determine the nature and extent of the contamination before taking the step to test local agricultural products. This approach allows the State to identify the impacted areas and provide assistance to residents within those areas. The Agency of Agriculture is developing a plan for sampling agricultural commodities within the impacted areas.
What about maple syrup?
No information is available in the scientific literature regarding uptake of PFOA in maple trees. The Vermont Agriculture and Environmental Laboratory (VAEL) is developing a method to test for PFOA in maple syrup and, potentially, sap. Once the nature and extent of contamination is determined, the Agency of Agriculture will develop a sampling plan to test maple sugaring operations within the impacted areas.
Contaminated water and livestock –
If your groundwater source used to water livestock is contaminated with PFOA, you need to obtain a source of clean water:
1. Fill a livestock tank or similar food grade container with the clean water and use that as your source for livestock - OR -
2. If your kitchen sink water has a PFOA-removing filter on it, you may attach a hose to that water source and use that for livestock -OR -
3. Check your yellow pages for local bulk water delivery companies that supply clean water.
If you have further questions about PFOA and agricultural products, contact:
Anne Macmillan, MS, Toxicologist
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
116 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05620
TEL 802.828.3479
FAX 802.828.1410
www.vermontagriculture.