PFOA And PFOS Found In Water From Test Wells At
The New Lebanon Landfill
By Michelle Van Horn
Deputy Town Supervisor Doug Banker filled in for Supervisor Houghtling for this month’s meeting. She was ill, and Councilmember Rasmussen was also absent, which supported tabling several old and new business items for next month’s meeting.
The biggest news is two of the five or six well water tests from the old landfill on Old Post Road have come back with excess amounts of PFOS (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) and PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid), which are man-made chemicals referred to as ‘forever chemicals’ because they break down so slowly. The town passed a motion to send letters to residents one half mile down gradient from the landfill to inform those residents whose wells may be affected.The State plans to test private wells within a quarter mile downgradient of the landfill for PFOA contamination in the water.
New Lebanon Supervisor Tistrya Houghtling said although it has been determined that there is PFOA in the landfill, it has not yet been determined if those contaminants are leaching out of the landfill.
PFOA and similar compounds are used in products that resist water, heat, stains, and grease. You can find them in stain-resistant carpets, paper and cardboard wax, ski wax, fire-resistant clothing and foams used to fight fires. In addition to leaching into soil and groundwater, they build up in our bloodstream and organs. According to the Center for Disease Control nearly all Americans have some PFOS and PFOA in their blood.
They’re harmful to the development of fetuses, reduce the effectiveness of vaccines, negatively affect the immune system and increase the risk of cancer. Back in July, the NYS Health Department (DOH) took action to limit the amount of PFOS and PFOA in drinking water to 10 ppt (parts per trillion), or 20 ppt collectively compared to the Federal Environmental Protection Agency’s 70 ppt collectively or individually. Liz Moran, Policy Director for NYPIRG (NY Public Interest Group) said in a July news release that, “The more science that comes out about these chemicals, the clearer it becomes that there is likely no safe level of exposure.” She strongly suggested that the DOH make a combined maximum contaminant level at 2 ppt, with a zero ppt goal. As to that much higher federal guideline, the EPA at the February meeting committed to looking at lowering its standard as well. New Lebanon’s two landfill wells had 28 ppt and 14 ppt for PFOS, and 160 ppt and 83 ppt of PFOA. The Town’s next steps are to await an investigation by the Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Health.
One town resident who had her well tested for PFOS and PFOA 1.5 miles away from the landfill found no issue per the state’s regulation. The test cost her around $300 with a 10% discount.
Coronavirus
In preparation for prevention of the Coronavirus spreading, Superintendent Houghtling asked the town board for authorization to put a work-from-home mandate in place if and when the time comes to do so. The motion was accepted, and preparation is underway to make this a reality.
Purple Heart Community
Senator Daphne Jordan’s office contacted New Lebanon about becoming a Purple Heart community, which entails honoring Veterans with banners hung throughout town, and other means to show the town’s support of our men and women currently serving in the nation’s armed forces. Supervisor Houghtling has expressed interest in pursuing other services for the town veterans.
Power Grab
NYS proposes to take control over a town’s decisions about large-scale solar and wind power projects. Several local communities have expressed concern about the loss of local control over large installations in their communities. The new law is included in budget bills currently before the state legislature.