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 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 PFAS

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

Legislative Update 6/2/2020:

https://www.concordmonitor.com/Bill-to-codify-strict-PFAS-limits-moves-ahead-in-Senate-34581384

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services contacts for PFAS:

Derek Bennett: derek.s.bennett@des.nh.gov
Brandon Kernan: Brandon.M.Kernen@des.nh.gov

NHDES 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 do not presently have anything to offer due to time and budget constraints.

Residents are able to request sampling at the link below. NHDES reviews this information and try to incorporate as many requests as possible into our work. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NHDES-S-03-008

NHDES does recommend private well owners sample for PFAS but acknowledges the cost is prohibitive relative to the traditional contaminants that we 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. Analytical has a lot of couriers in the state so shipping could be cheaper with them.

Resources:

https://www4.des.state.nh.us/nh-pfas-investigation/wp-content/uploads/pfoa-testing-labs.pdf

https://www4.des.state.nh.us/nh-pfas-investigation/wp-content/uploads/PFAS-Testing-Guidance_rev4.pdf

Maine Department of Environmental Protection contacts for PFAS:

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

Amy Lachance: Amy.Lachance@Maine.gov
207-557-2380

Maine does not recommend private well owners sample for PFAS due to complexities. Maine does offer reimbursement for sampling of wells near lands that where sludge was spread. Watch “Ask the I-Team: Is there an at-home test to detect PFAS in Maine water?” here.

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/

State Info on PFAS:

Tamworth letter from NHDES
https://www4.des.state.nh.us/IISProxy/IISProxy.dll?ContentId=4754500

Effingham letter from NHDES
https://www4.des.state.nh.us/IISProxy/IISProxy.dll?ContentId=4757097

Stakeholder presentation that most clearly 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

New 2019 Ambient Groundwater Quality Standards (AGQS) for PFAS:
https://www4.des.state.nh.us/nh-pfas-investigation/?p=1126

NHDES Guidance for Waste Sites FAQ
https://www.des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/documents/pfas-faq.pdf

New Hampshire DES PFAS Investigation website
https://www4.des.state.nh.us/nh-pfas-investigation
Links to testing private wells in certain areas of southern NH for PFAS. Testing seems only for specific area of interest surrounding superfund site.

Judge bars NH from enforcing tougher PFAS water standards
https://www.seacoastonline.com/news/20191126/judge-bars-nh-from-enforcing-tougher-pfas-water-standards

N.H.’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

N.H. Sues Makers of PFAS Chemicals for Drinking Water Contamination
https://www.nhpr.org/post/nh-sues-makers-pfas-chemicals-drinking-water-contamination#stream/0

Federal Info on PFAS:

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/pfas-exposure.html

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

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
8 pages including several pages of further resources from the EPA

Clinical Fact Sheet
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/docs/pfas_clinician_fact_sheet_508.pdf
8 pages describing human health impacts for clinicians to use with patients from ASTDR

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

Drinking water fact sheet:
https://www.epa.gov/pfas/basic-information-pfas#health
8 pages, from 2016

PFAS Assessment & Mitigation:

https://www.battelle.org/inb/pfas
https://fishbeck.com/services/pfas-detection-mitigation
https://fishbeck.com/services/pfas-detection-mitigation

More PFAS info:

PFOA Contamination
https://agwt.org/content/pfc-perfluorochemicals-pfoa-perfluorooctanoic-acid
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

News from contamination cases in VT
Sources from Bennington College:
https://www.bennington.edu/center-advancement-of-public-action/environment-and-public-action/understanding-pfoa
https://www.bennington.edu/news-and-features/dr-joyce-donohue-speaks-epas-new-health-advisory-level-pfoa

PFAS-Free Products – PFAS Central
https://pfascentral.org/pfas-basics/pfas-free-products/

This map created by Northeastern University’s FPAS Project Lab

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)