Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has announced it will hold a public meeting to present an analysis of the blood testing program results related to the perfluorochemicals (PFCs) exposure at the Pease Tradeport.
The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 16, at Community Campus, 1 Campus Drive, Portsmouth.
During two separate, two-month periods in 2015, DHHS facilitated blood tests for 1,578 individuals. DHHS officials will present the final, aggregate results of the blood testing program and answer questions from members of the public about the testing program.
“The PFC contamination in the drinking water on the Pease Tradeport has caused concern and uncertainty for many who consumed the water,” said Dr. Benjamin Chan, NH State Epidemiologist.
“Every person who had their blood tested has received their individual results, and this meeting will provide a broader context to help participants of the blood testing program interpret their results. This is also an opportunity for participants to ask questions about the testing program and the overall results.”
The contaminant perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) was detected in one of the wells of the water system at the Pease Tradeport in May 2014 at a level that exceeded the Provisional Health Advisory set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was also detected, but at levels just below the Provisional Health Advisory. The affected well was immediately shut down by the City of Portsmouth and has remained offline since.
On May 19, 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published updated drinking water Health Advisories for PFOA and PFOS, which recommended that if a person’s drinking water contains levels of PFOA, PFOS or PFOA and PFOS combined above 70 parts per trillion (ppt) that they do not consume the water or use it in preparing food.
DHHS will be resuming PFC blood testing for people who consumed contaminated water on the Pease Tradeport and did not participate in the previous blood testing phases. Individuals who want to learn more about their blood testing options may register their interest by sending an email to peasetesting@dhhs.state.nh.us.
For more information about the Pease Tradeport PFC blood testing program, visit the DHHS website at http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/investigation-pease.htm. For more information about the Pease Superfund site, visit the NH Department of Environmental Services website at http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/waste/hwrb/fss/superfund/summaries/pease.htm. To learn more about the water system at the Pease Tradeport, visit the City of Portsmouth website at http://www.cityofportsmouth.com/publicworks/phwn.html.
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