PFAS is an acronym that rose to prominence in New Hampshire and the nation nearly a decade ago, when the contaminant was discovered in groundwater at the Pease Air Force Base in Greenland, New Hampshire. The contamination spread to public water wells and was present in concentrations above health standards.
The source of PFAS contamination was Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFF, or Firefighting Foams) used in firefighting training activities on the base. Soon after, with further testing statewide, PFAS began making headlines again, this time in Merrimack, New Hampshire, and surrounding towns.
The source was identified as Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics. PFAS were released from this site as a result of coating textiles with PFAS, followed by drying that resulted in emissions into the atmosphere. PFAS were then deposited on surfaces, eventually seeping into groundwater. Local wells began to exceed the safe drinking water standards for PFAS.
So, what are PFAS? PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a family of human-made, almost indestructible “forever chemicals.” There are thousands of PFAS that have been developed since the 1930s, used in industrial processes and consumer products (Teflon, Scotchgard, etc.), due to their almost magical properties that make life easier, including the ability to repel stains and water, reduce friction, and resist heat. They are the epitome of “better living through chemistry,” but today many are being phased out.
Though the PFAS names may be tongue twisters (say “perfluorooctane sulfonic acid” three times fast) and their properties may be synonymous with modern living, the structures of these chemicals are not terribly complicated.
Their molecules are largely chains of carbon and hydrogen atoms, resembling a simple sugar but replacing certain of sugar’s “ordinary” hydrogen atoms with “exotic” fluorine atoms. By rearranging such a molecule’s atoms the way one might reconstruct Mr. Potato Head’s features, chemists have rearranged these building blocks to create thousands of distinct PFAS, each with unique qualities.
However, many of the properties that make PFAS so useful also make them a public health hazard. Their chemistry allows them to move through the environment, making their way into soils, surface waters, and groundwater. They resist breakdown in the environment, and they migrate.
Once PFAS enter our bodies through ingestion, they become attracted to proteins such as hemoglobin. While the toxicology of PFAS is still being researched, it is known that they bioaccumulate. This means that they can build up in our bodies and aren’t easily metabolized or flushed, remaining in our bodies for years. This gives these persistent chemicals time to mingle with our biology, leading to health impacts including elevated cholesterol, thyroid disorders, low birth weight, and certain types of cancer.
This sounds like yet another bogeyman, but I want to avoid injecting any more stress or panic into our lives. Yes, PFAS are a problem and a threat to public health, but awareness can help to limit exposure. The drinking water standards for PFAS in New Hampshire are meant to be protective and, based on current knowledge, exposures to PFAS are typically in concentrations that would take years-to-decades to produce negative health impacts.
The other good news is that it is relatively easy to treat and remove PFAS from contaminated water. Simple systems can be installed to effectively reduce PFAS to levels below drinking water quality standards. If you are on a public water source, community drinking water standards for PFAS should already be maintained.
There are no regulations for private wells, but it is recommended that well owners observe drinking water standards and have wells tested every couple of years, more frequently if contamination is present. Currently, there are only four PFAS with water quality standards in New Hampshire:
Perfuorooctanoic acid (PFOA) — 12 ppt (parts per trillion)
Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) — 15 ppt
Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) — 18 ppt
Pefluorononanoic acid (PFNA) — 11 ppt
In Andover and surrounding towns (see map), PFAS concentrations are often below detection limits and are lower than in many of the towns in the southern part of the state. Exceedances in our area are typically associated with locations that accumulate our waste products, such as landfills and wastewater treatment facilities. However, testing in this area has not been widespread.
Additional Resources:
PFAS Response website from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (pfas.des.nh.gov/). This site provides all of the background information you need to learn more about PFAS, testing options, and possible rebate options for water treatment.
Be Well Informed (www4.des.state.nh.us/DWITool/Welcome.aspx). This site provides information, including testing options, and is a tool that allows you to input your water results and receive information and recommendations specific to your well.