New Jersey Coalition Calls for Investigation of Private Wells to Protect Families from PFOA in Drinking Water

- Community groups react to news that DuPont's Teflon chemicals likely contaminate area residential wells. Eight of nine DuPont monitoring wells exceeded New Jersey's 'alert level.'

- Private residential well contamination with PFOA reported by NJDEP.

- Testing demanded of all private drinking water wells and warnings issued to residents in towns adjacent to DuPont because of high levels of PFOA.

DEEPWATER, N.J., June 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A coalition of environmental and labor groups are calling for the testing of private drinking water wells in four towns near DuPont's Chambers Works facility in Deepwater, N.J. They are concerned about the possible presence of the dangerous Teflon chemical, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and other perfluorinated compounds (PFCs).

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080131/DC12982LOGO )

The coalition's call for testing of private wells by DuPont follows the company's disclosure to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) that its groundwater monitoring wells showed contamination levels which exceeded the State of New Jersey's "alert level."

"Those whose drinking water comes from private wells have the right to know if they are drinking PFOA contaminated water," said Jane Nogaki, Vice Chair of NJ Environmental Federation. "Of particular concern are wells serving families with pregnant women and small children," she said noting a study of PFOA contamination of newborns released by Johns Hopkins Medical School in 2007.

"DuPont's sampling results, along with the NJDEP's information of private well contamination raises the possibility that up to 750 private residential drinking water wells in Salem County may suffer from PFOA contamination," said Shawn Gilchrist of the United Steelworkers Union.

Groundwater is the only source of drinking water for the nearby residents of Pennsville, Penns Grove, Carneys Point, and Oldmans Township and the results of DuPont's testing raises the possibility that common aquifers have been contaminated with PFOA and other PFCs.

DuPont's testing of nine on-site and off-site monitoring wells surrounding its Chambers Works plant showed PFOA results ranging from .012 parts per billion to 2.2 parts per billion. The nine monitoring wells were required by the NJDEP and were located at the plant's boundaries.

A year ago February, the NJDEP set the nation's safest drinking water guidance level for PFOA. New Jersey identified the safe "alert level" of only .04 parts per billion after finding PFOA contamination in drinking water supplies across the state. While all wells showed some PFOA content, eight of the nine monitoring wells exceeded New Jersey's "alert level."

The sampling results also suggest that DuPont's "interceptor wells," which are supposed to have contained the company's pollution, may not stop the spread of these contaminants into the surrounding communities.

At the present time, there are nearly two thousand Salem County residents who depend on private wells for their drinking water. Without further testing, we fear that many of these wells may draw water from a now contaminated aquifer.

"Clearly now that DuPont and the state know about the contamination, quick action to gather the private well data and address the danger is in everyone's interest," said Tracy Carluccio, Deputy Director of Delaware Riverkeeper Network.

"We demand these wells should be investigated for contamination with state oversight. To do less would be unconscionable," added Carluccio.

For more information:

Tracy Carluccio: 215-369-1188 or 215-692-2329 (cell)

Deputy Director, Delaware Riverkeeper Network

Jane Nogaki: 856-912-6790 (cell)

Vice Chair, NJ Environmental Federation

Shawn Gilchrist: 412-562-6968

United Steelworkers International Union

Denise Patel: (856) 465-1211 (cell)

Campaign Organizer, New Jersey Work Environment Council

Related scientific studies:

    --  The Centers for Disease Control and John Hopkins University have
        reported health impacts in newborn babies such as low birth weight and
        reduced head circumference. (Source: Possible Etiologies of PFAA-Induced
        Developmental Effects: Reflections from a Pediatric Perspective; Johns
        Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
        Prevention) 
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    --  PFOA has been found in the breast milk of nursing mothers, and has been
        found in children between the ages of 2 and 12 at blood levels similar
        to those found in adults. (Source: Study conducted by Kathleen Arcaro of
        the University of Massachusetts Amherst--results are scheduled for
        publication in Environmental Science and Technology ( 
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        http://www.umass.edu/loop/talkingpoints/articles/74700.php 
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); other breast milk studies reported in February and May 2007
        Issue of Environmental Health Perspectives) 
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