PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) Resources

GMCG is committed to protecting water resources in the Ossipee Watershed. PFAS are an emerging contaminant, meaning their full impacts on human health are not yet known. While GMCG is not currently equipped to sample for PFAS, we will continue to stay informed with the latest PFAS information and keep the community updated on how PFAS are affecting our area.

GMCG is not responsible for the content of the links shared below, and we do not monitor these links to ensure their validity.

Interactive Map: NH DES PFAS Sampling in New Hampshire

CBS News article on federal PFAS regulations:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/epa-first-ever-drinking-water-regulations-pfas-forever-chemicals/

NH Legislative Updates:

7/5/2024: https://newhampshirebulletin.com/briefs/nh-property-buyers-to-be-notified-about-potential-pfas-contamination-under-new-law/

8/5/2024: https://mainemorningstar.com/2024/08/05/nh-governor-signs-one-bill-targeting-forever-chemicals-but-vetoes-another/

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services contacts for PFAS:

Amy Rousseau; PFAS Response Administrator: amyrousseau@des.nh.gov

Jennifer Harfmann, Ph.D.; PFAS Discharge Specialist: jennifer.l.harfmann@des.nh.gov

Derek Bennett; MBTE Remediation Program Administrator: derek.s.bennett@des.nh.gov

Brandon Kernan; Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau Administrator: Brandon.M.Kernen@des.nh.gov

NHDES private well sampling is focused on those areas most susceptible to contamination. They primarily target wells that are in close proximity to other wells where exceedances of drinking water standards have already been identified. NHDES will occasionally conduct more general sampling for screening purposes, but it is not a priority due to time and budget constraints.

Residents are able to request sampling at the link below. NHDES reviews this information and tries to incorporate as many requests as possible into their work.

https://onlineforms.nh.gov/app/?allowAnonymous=true#/formversion/e1da8589-8c0b-4dcc-bfea-0f932341e50c?formtag=nhdes-s-03-008

PFAS sampling can be costly. NHDES does recommend private well owners test for PFAS if it has not been done before, but they acknowledge the cost is prohibitive relative to the traditional contaminants that they recommend be tested. Labs could charge $250-$550 per sample. Many subcontract the work and mark the cost up quite a bit. The cost would be lower if you were to seek bids and deliver the bottles in batches. Granite State Analytical has many couriers in the state so shipping could be cheaper with them. If initial PFAS sampling reveals no PFAS, and household budget does not allow for re-testing every 3-5 years, NHDES states it is acceptable to wait longer, especially if surrounding land uses do not change.

NHDES Resources:

Private Well Water Testing Guidance:

https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/labs-private-wells.pdf

PFAS in New Hampshire: What you need to know:

https://www.pfas.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt586/files/inline-documents/2022-09/pfas-in-nh.pdf

PFAS in Well Water Fact Sheet:

https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/dwgb-3-25.pdf

ME Legislative Update:

4/16/2024: https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/news-and-insights/maine-pfas-law.html

Maine Department of Environmental Protection contacts for PFAS:

Tracy Kelly; PFAS and Emerging Contaminants: tracy.kelly@maine.gov

Chris Evans; Groundwater: gordon.c.evans@maine.gov

Amy Lachance; Drinking Water Program Director: Amy.Lachance@Maine.gov

Maine DEP recommends testing for PFAS in private wells only when there is suspicion of well water contamination. Testing for these chemicals in well water is expensive ($250-500) and only done by a few DEP approved laboratories. If you are concerned about whether these chemicals are in your well water, contact one of Maine DEP’s toxicologists to discuss whether testing your well water makes sense. Call 207-287-4311. Maine does offer reimbursement for sampling of wells near lands that where sludge was spread.

Many public water systems have been required to be tested for PFAS by 2023. Results can be found at the link below.

https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/dwp/cet/documents/pfasResults.pdf

Local PFAS Issues

Tamworth Receptor Survey Plan:

https://www4.des.state.nh.us/IISProxy/IISProxy.dll?ContentId=4760727

Spring 2019 Sampling Results for Tamworth Receptor Survey:

https://www4.des.state.nh.us/IISProxy/IISProxy.dll?ContentId=4774019

Spring 2019 Sampling Results for Effingham Receptor Survey:

https://www4.des.state.nh.us/IISProxy/IISProxy.dll?ContentId=4776652

GMCG PFAS Workshop Nov. 21, 2019 at Runnells Hall Chocorua, NH:

View PowerPoint presentation by Branden Kernen (DES): Kernen_GM
View PowerPoint presentation by Shaina Kasper (Toxics Action Vermont): PFAS presentation 11_21_2019
Watch a video of the presentations here: https://www.facebook.com/gmcgnh/videos/1008989406118149/

NH State Info on PFAS:

Tamworth Landfill letter from NHDES:

https://www4.des.state.nh.us/IISProxy/IISProxy.dll?ContentId=4754500

Effingham Landfill letter from NHDES:

https://www4.des.state.nh.us/IISProxy/IISProxy.dll?ContentId=4757097

New Hampshire DES PFAS Response website:

https://www.pfas.des.nh.gov/#

Stakeholder presentation that lays out what should happen if PFAS are detected:

https://www.des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/documents/pfas-20170411-stakeholder-meeting.pdf

NHPR reporting on CDC recommendations June 2018:

https://www.nhpr.org/post/cdc-study-shows-pfas-chemicals-may-be-risky-lower-levels-nh-regulates#stream/0

NHDES Guidance for Waste Sites FAQ:

https://www.des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/documents/pfas-faq.pdf

NH’s New PFAS Limits Face Swift Lawsuit From Local Water Handlers, 3M:

https://www.nhpr.org/post/nh-s-new-pfas-limits-face-swift-lawsuit-local-water-handlers-3m#stream/0

PFAS settlement to bring $65 million to New Hampshire in next few years: 

https://www.wmur.com/article/pfas-settlement-new-hampshire-3m-dupont/61855857

Federal Info on PFAS:

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR):

https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/pfas-exposure.html

Clinical Fact Sheet from ATSDR:

https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/docs/PFAS-info-for-clinicians-factsheet-508.pdf

Health Advisories from EPA:

https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/drinking-water-health-advisories-pfoa-and-pfos

EPA Small and Rural Water Systems Fact Sheet for EPA’s 2024 National PFAS Standards:

https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/pfas-npdwr_fact-sheet_monitoring_4.8.24.pdf

EPA Technical Science Fact Sheet:

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-12/documents/ffrrofactsheet_contaminants_pfos_pfoa_11-20-17_508_0.pdf

Quick Fact Sheet:

https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/docs/pfas_fact_sheet.pdf

PFAS Explained by the EPA:

https://www.epa.gov/pfas/basic-information-pfas#health

More PFAS info:

Editorial in Environmental Health about the delayed detection, dissemination of PFAS:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6066926/pdf/12940_2018_Article_405.pdf

Interactive map created by Northeastern University’s PFAS Project Lab showing known PFAS contamination sites and community resources:

https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/12412ab41b3141598e0bb48523a7c940/

List of PFAS-free products from PFAS Central:

https://pfascentral.org/pfas-basics/pfas-free-products/

News from contamination cases:

New Hampshire: 

https://www.nhpr.org/nh-news/2024-01-04/judge-paves-way-for-pfas-class-action-suit-against-saint-gobain-in-merrimack

Maine: 

https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/08/21/pfas-discharge-maine-firefighting-foam-brunswick

Vermont:

https://www.bennington.edu/center-advancement-of-public-action/environment-and-public-action/understanding-pfoa

How can you reduce your family’s PFAS exposure?

  • Check with your public water supplier for PFAS levels.
  • Homeowners with private wells are solely responsible for testing and treating their water. The only way for private well users to know if you have PFAS in your water is to TEST IT. See recommended water tests for private wells at https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/2020-01/dwgb-2-1.pdf
  • Consider in-home water filtration options.
  • Use a wet mop instead of sweeping with a broom to reduce exposure to dust, which can harbor PFAS and other toxic chemicals.
  • Check out consumer product information from Environmental Working Group to avoid PFAS in common products like cookware, rain jackets, makeup, and certain types of dental floss.
  • Visit PFAS Central for a list of PFAS-Free products.
  • Avoid eating foods packaged in material containing PFAS, such as microwave popcorn and fast-food.
  • Avoid stain resistant coatings on carpets, furniture and other upholstery

Source: PFAS in New Hampshire: What You Need to Know (https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt476/files/documents/2021-11/pfas-in-nh-fact-sheet-20210805.pdf)