Senator Jeanne Shaheen is urging the U.S. Air Force to pay damages related to a contaminant found at a well on Pease Tradeport in Portsmouth.
The chemical, known as a PFC, was used in firefighting foam on the Pease Air Force Base before it was closed in 1991 and declared a super fund site. The well was shut down in May, following a water analysis.
In a letter this week, Senator Shaheen asked the US Air Force to help the city of Portsmouth pay for damages, including investigating alternate water sources and water treatment systems. Her letter follows a similar request sent by Portsmouth’s city manager.
Shaheen has also asked the Air Force to conduct further groundwater tests, to ease concerns of employees at Pease and residents nearby.
PFCs are not regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency, but have been identified by the agency for further screening. Health effects of contamination in humans are inconclusive.