PFOA found in Chittenden County
Source: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com, June 9, 2016
By: Jess Aloe
The possible carcinogen PFOA has been found in water samples from the Vermont Air National Guard base in South Burlington and the Pittsford Fire Academy, Gov. Peter Shumlin announced on Thursday.
The contaminated water is not being used for drinking supplies, Shumlin spokesman Scott Coriell said in a news release. Both sites have used firefighting foam, one source of perflurooctanoic acid and the related substance perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, otherwise known as PFOS.
Water sampled from a groundwater collection system at the National Guard based showed a PFOAÂ concentration of 9,300 parts per trillion and a PFOS concentration of 38,000 parts per trillion.
All residents within a mile are connected to the municipal water supply, which has been tested and found clear of PFOA and PFOS.
“The base has undergone significant environmental testing and site remediation in the past decades, and has never been investigated for perfluorinated chemicals. Today’s results will prompt further site investigation,” Coriell said.
A underground storage tank at the Pittsford Fire Academy was found to have PFOS levels of 72 parts per trillion and PFOA levels of 6 parts per trillion.
The Shumlin administration began statewide testing earlier this year after private wells in North Bennington were found be contaminated with the substance.
