PFAS Panel Discussion Oct. 14

Green Acton and the League of Women Voters–Acton Area are sponsoring an educational panel discussion on PFAS in drinking water. Panelist presentations and discussion will touch on: What are PFAS chemicals? Where do they come from? Why are they a matter for concern? What is the situation here in Acton? What is being done about PFAS at the local and state levels? [THIS EVENT IS PAST. Summary and links are here.]

As explained in a previous post, PFAS compounds are a group of human-made chemicals that have been widely used in products that require heat- or water-resistance. PFAS bioaccumulate in organisms, including humans, where they have been associated with adverse health effects. Recently, they have been found in the groundwater of Acton and many other communities. In response, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection MassDEP) is in the process of developing a maximum allowable contaminant level (MCL) for PFAS in drinking water. (An MCL is the maximum amount of a compound considered safe.) MassDEP expects to announce early in October the MCL for the sum of six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — PFAS compounds.

At the upcoming panel discussion, Acton resident and environmental engineer Dan Groher will open with an overview of what PFAS compounds are, where they come from, and their status as an emerging contaminant. A toxicologist from the MassDEP Office of Research & Standards, Sandra Baird, will fill us in on what is known and unknown about human health effects of these chemicals. Matt Mostoller, the Environmental Manager of the Acton Water District, will bring us up to date on the situation here in Acton and what is being done to mitigate the problem. Questions will be taken from the audience. 

The discussion will be held by Zoom, on Wednesday October 14, 7:00–8:30 pm. Capacity is limited. Please register here.

Update (Sept. 25, 2020): Yesterday, MassDEP issued the anticipated new regulations on PFAS in drinking water. As reported in the Boston Globe, the new regulations will require public water suppliers to take remedial action if the total concentration of six of the more common PFAS chemicals exceeds 20 parts per trillion. Water suppliers are required to begin testing for the six chemicals next year. The Acton Water District has been testing for PFAS since January 2020. The full text of the new regulations is here.