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Pollution in Merrimack water?

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The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) is investigating the presence of perfluorochemicals (PFCs) in the water in Merrimack.

PFCs are man made chemicals used in nonstick cookware, stain resistant carpeting, and more.

The PFCs in Merrimack are most likely from the Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics plant. Saint-Gobain recently tested water at its plant and found PFCs at low levels (0.03 micrograms per liter). Saint-Gobain reported those results to DES, which will now conduct water testing around Merrimack.

Right now the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not have a standard for PFCs in water. Instead, the EPA has a "Provisional Health Advisory" that recommends PFC levels below 0.4 micrograms per liter. The preliminary Saint-Gobain tests show levels far below that advisory.

In a press release, DES emphasized that the science around the health effects of PFCs is not certain.

"Studies have shown that nearly all people have some level of PFCs in their blood," says the release. "Potential health effects from exposure to low levels of PFCs are not well understood." 

However, Saint-Gobain is facing a lawsuit in New York over the health effects of PFCs on residents near a plastics plant.

An attorney from that lawsuit, Richard Bilott, wrote a letter to DES arguing that the link between PFCs and cancer is clear. Bilott also noted that the EPA advisory is based on short-term exposure, not long-term exposure.

"Given the biopersistant nature of [PFCs] - meaning that even the tiniest, barely detectable amounts in drinking water will build up in the human body over time - and the finding of adverse health effects in laboratory studies at lower and lower dose levels, many scientists are questioning how a 'safe' level can even be set for [PFCs] in drinking water," wrote Bilott

Gov. Maggie Hassan wrote a letter to the EPA this week requesting that the agency review its guidelines regarding PFCs. 

Are you concerned about PFCs in water supplies? What action should the state take, if any? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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