Testing Shows School Water Contains Acceptable PFOA Levels

MERRIMACK, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire water officials say they’ve discovered the chemical known as PFOAs, in the water supplies of the Merrimack School District — though they are within recommended state and federal guidelines.

Water samples were collected from six schools in May and discovered levels of PFOAs ranging between 15 and 17 parts per trillion. The Nashua Telegraph reports (http://bit.ly/2uPsWm8 ) the states recommended limit is 17 parts per trillion, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limit is 70 parts per trillion.

Sharon Barnes, chairwoman of the Merrimack school board, says the findings are reassuring. Testing did reveal that five of the six schools did have greater than the state limit of trihalomethane, which is recognized as a carcinogen.

A school official says he will discuss trihalomethane levels with the local water company.