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0000017a-15d9-d736-a57f-17ff8f4d0000NHPR’s ongoing coverage of water contamination at the former Pease Air Force Base and in the communities surrounding the Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics plant in Merrimack. We’ll keep you updated on day to day developments, and ask bigger questions, such as:What do scientists know about the health effects of perfluorochemicals like PFOA, PFOS and PFHxS?How are policy makers in New Hampshire responding to these water contaminants?How are scientists and policymakers communicating potential risks?How are other states responding to similar contaminations?

State Notifies Neighbors Of PFOA Contamination At Merrimack Park

Town of Merrimack

The state has confirmed unsafe levels of PFAS chemical contamination at a town park and former industrial site in Merrimack.

This comes nearly a year after the site's owner first reported finding the toxins in groundwater at the former chemical plant and tannery.

State officials confirmed the contamination and disclosed it to property owners near Watson Park in letters sent in August.

The letters say not to be alarmed, but the park's groundwater was found to contain 88 parts per trillion of PFOA. That's a PFAS-type chemical that's been linked to cancer, as well as kidney, liver, thyroid and cholesterol problems.

The current state limit on PFOA in groundwater is 70 parts per trillion. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control says PFOA may carry health risks at exposures of just 11 parts per trillion.

Watson Park is down the road from Merrimack’s Saint Gobain plastics factory, which is thought to have tainted hundreds of nearby public and private wells with PFAS two years ago.   

The state’s letters advised residents near the park on where to get further water testing, and said they're continuing to study the site and how contamination may spread.

The town of Merrimack also plans to hold a public meeting soon on ongoing local PFAS issues.

Annie has covered the environment, energy, climate change and the Seacoast region for NHPR since 2017. She leads the newsroom's climate reporting project, By Degrees.
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