Vermont Business MagazineThe Vermont Department of Health has updated its health advisory for drinking water of 20 parts per trillion (ppt) to cover fiveper- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are a large group of human-made chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products worldwide since the 1950s. Exposure tocertain PFAS may affect different systems in the human body.
The previous health advisory of 20 ppt for PFOA and PFOS combined was issued in 2016 following the discovery of PFOA in private drinking water wells in Bennington and a public drinking water supply well in Pownal, Vermont.
Vermont Health Advisory for Drinking Water = 20 parts per trillion
The health advisory for PFAS indrinking water now includes three more PFAS in addition to PFOA and PFOS. Added together, the levels of these PFAS may not exceed 20 parts per trillion (ppt):
- PFOA - perfluorooctanoic acid
- PFOS - perfluorooctane sulfonic acid
- PFHxS - perfluorohexane sulfonic acid
- PFHpA - perfluoroheptanoic acid
- PFNA - perfluorononanoic acid
Some studies show that these PFAS may affect growth, learning and behavior in babies and older children, lower a woman’s chance of getting pregnant, interfere with the body’s natural hormones, increase cholesterol levels, affect the immune system, and increase the risk of cancer. The likelihood of having a health effect due to PFAS exposure depends on how much an individual was exposed to, and for how long.
Working with Affected Residents and Businesses
The DEC has reviewed all PFAS test results and has notified the limited number of locations that have exceeded the updated health advisory.These locations will be re-sampled and bottled water offered tothose affected. POETS have been installed in the impacted homes and businesses in Bennington, Shaftsbury, Pownal and Clarendon to remove all five PFAS compounds. If the combined results of the five PFAS compounds are found to be above 20 ppt, the DEC will work with the property owner to install a permanent drinking water solution.
State Launches Statewide Testing Pilot for PFAS at 10 Schools
PFAS is often found in floor cleaning products, stripping chemicals, waxes, and polish that may be used to maintain flooring at schools. Of the schools that have on-site drinking water wells, DEC has identified 10 schools for the pilot testing project. These schools were most likely to have been affected by PFAS used in floor cleaners and waxes. Schools that are on a public drinking water system are not affected. This week, the DEC will begin sampling at 10 schools to determine if PFAS entered the environment and impacted groundwater when cleaning water carrying PFAS was emptied directly onto the ground or into a school’s septic system. This project is a partnership with the Department of Health and Agency of Education.
The school testing is part of the DEC’s broader PFAS sampling approach. After the discovery of PFAS in drinking water in Bennington, the DEC developed the statewide PFAS sampling plan to strategically investigate numerous sources of PFAS. DEC officials have already tested several locations where PFAS was used, including wire coating facilities, semi-conductor facilities, battery manufacturing facilities, and airports. Thesampling reportlocated on DEC website provides an overview of the findings and offers a look ahead into additional work needed in the future.
More information is available
To find out more about Vermont’s PFAS sampling plan and information for affected communities, visit the DEC PFOA webpage athttp://dec.vermont.gov/commissioners-office/pfoa/communities.
For more information about health and PFAS in drinking water, visit the Health Department’s website:www.healthvermont.gov/environment/drinking-water/perfluoroalkyl-and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas-drinking-water
Source: VTHealth Department 7.10.2018