PFOA levels are elevated near old Amherst chemical plant

CONCORD, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) last week expanded its investigation into perfluorochemicals (PFCs) in drinking water to Amherst, near the former location of Textiles Coated International (TCI).

As a result, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the Town of Amherst, will hold a public information meeting May 18 to discuss the results of the recent drinking water tests. The meeting will be held at Souhegan High School Theater, 412 Boston Post Road, Amherst, at 7 p.m

Eleven water well test results received by NHDES show concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) ranging from non-detect to 620 parts per trillion (ppt). Four of the eleven water well test results were over 100 ppt. NHDES has advised property owners where wells showed concentrations above 100 ppt not to drink the water, and that bottled water will be provided to them as an interim measure. NHDES has posted a map of the results here.

According to TCI’s website, the company is an American manufacturer of high-performance fluoropolymer films, laminates, and composites. Based on information about TCI’s previous use of PFCs, NHDES collected the water samples from wells within a one-mile radius of 105 Route 101A, the former location of TCI in Amherst. TCI operated at the Amherst location from 1985 to 2006, and currently has a manufacturing facility at 200 Bouchard St. in Manchester that started operations in 2005. NHDES recently conducted an unannounced site inspection at TCI’s Manchester facility. Historically, TCI used ammonium perfluorooctanoate (APFO), an ammonium salt of PFOA, but reported to NHDES during the inspection that they have not used any dispersions containing APFO after 2013.

NHDES will initially be contacting the owners of private water wells located within a half-mile radius of the Amherst location to make arrangements to collect samples, and will adjust the investigation area as necessary. Well owners within the initial investigation area can request their well to be sampled by filling out this NHDES form.

With respect to the current TCI facility in Manchester, a NHDES survey did not identify any private water wells within a one-mile radius of that location. Lake Massabesic, the source of public water supply for the city of Manchester and many surrounding communities (located approximately between 3 and 6 miles from the TCI facility), was tested recently by the Manchester Water Works, which found concentrations of PFOA at background levels (3 ppt).

For more information on NHDES’ PFOA investigation in southern New Hampshire drinking water, click here.  A public inquiry line is available to help answer questions at (603) 271-9461.

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