Dmitry Naumov via Shutterstock
June 28, 2019 (CONCORD, NH) – Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) released the following statement today after the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services proposed new regulations for four toxic PFAS.
“Toxic PFAS chemicals are threatening drinking water and public health across New Hampshire,” said Tom Irwin, Vice President and Director of CLF New Hampshire. “The new standards proposed today are a significant step in the right direction for protecting our communities, but more needs to be done. We must address the cumulative impacts of these four PFAS, and the state needs to regulate the thousands of other known PFAS created by the chemical industry.”
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are suspected carcinogens and have been linked to a variety of severe health problems including learning disorders in infants and children, fertility and pregnancy issues and impaired liver, thyroid and pancreatic function. It’s estimated that almost every American has at least one of these substances in their blood.
Called ‘forever chemicals’ because they never fully break down, PFAS have been widely used in nonstick cookware, food wrappers, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant fabrics and carpets, some cosmetics, some firefighting foams, and products that resist grease, water, and oil.
The proposed rules announced today would regulate four of these harmful chemicals in New Hampshire groundwater and public water systems.
CLF has been pushing for stronger regulations across New England to protect the public from the dangers of PFAS. You can read more about that work here.
CLF experts are available for further comment.
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