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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?

Cleaning Up New Hampshire's Contaminated Water

US Air Force

Last spring, the chemical PFOA was found in unusually high levels in wells in Southern New Hampshire, and, before that, on the Seacoast. Since then, the state has allocated millions to study and fix these sites, but critics worry the guidelines for contaminated water, and the work being done, aren't enough.  

GUESTS:

  • Dr. Benjamin Chan - State epidemiologist at the N.H. Department of Health and Human Services, and also an infectious disease physician.
  • Emily Corwin - Reporter for NHPR. She has covered the water contamination across the state. See links to her stories below.
  • Clark Freise - Assistant Commissioner at the N.H. Department of Environmental Services.
  • Mindy Messmer - Democratic State Representative for Rye and Newcastle. She is on the Health and Human Services Committee. 
  • Sarah Vose - State toxicologist for the Vermont Department of Health. 

Emily Corwin helped put this show together. Check out her coverage of water contamination across the state:

Merrimack Water Activists Hope Health Survey Will Push State To Act, on August 3, 2017.

N.H.'s Water Quality Activists Hail Vermont Settlement, on July 26, 2017. 

Two Bills Addressing Water Contamination Become Law, on July 23, 2017. 

Saint-Gobain Will Pay For Public Water Design Plans In Bedford, on April 14, 2017. 

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