Due to the recent discovery of Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs) in water supply wells in North Bennington, Bennington and Pownal, Vermont, the Vermont Department of Conservation (VTDEC) is identifying locations in the state where PFCs may have been used and is requesting certain facilities to conduct testing on their properties.
PFCs are synthetic compounds that have been used in a variety of applications to make everyday products that are resistant to stains, grease and water including, but not limited to: non-stick cookware, stain-resistant carpets and sofas, waterproof clothing, cable and wire insulation, food packaging and firefighting foam.
Of particular concern are perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which are persistent (meaning they take a very long time to break down in the environment) and can “bioaccumulate” or build up in certain living organisms. PFOA, a possible carcinogen, has recently become a national issue due to its presence in drinking water in several states.
The VTDEC recently issued updated Groundwater Enforcement Standards (March 4, 2016) including a new interim groundwater quality standard for PFOA [0.02 parts per billion (ppb) or 20 parts per trillion (ppt)].
ATC has a VTDEC approved PFC Sampling Plan and demonstrated experience sampling for PFCs at municipal, commercial, and residential properties. ATC also has partnerships with a handful of specialized analytical testing laboratories around the country that possess the capability of testing PFCs.
In addition to testing, ATC can assist with regulatory communication, water treatment systems and other remedies.
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For assistance, contact Joe Hayes in our Waterbury, VT location at (802) 241-4131 or at joseph.hayes@atcassociates.com.