PFOA Contamination Response: Community Updates
Week of 05/23/2016
You are receiving this e-mail because you have requested to be updated on Vermont's PFOA response efforts, or because your well was recently sampled. Weekly updates are sent out on Thursdays. If you wish to stop receiving these updates, you may unsubscribe at any time using the link at the bottom of this e-mail. Thank you.
blood May 31 Deadline to Register for June PFOA Blood Testing Clinics
People in Bennington and North Bennington affected by PFOA contamination of drinking water, who want to attend one of the two remaining blood draw clinics currently scheduled, must register by Tuesday, May 31. The clinics are being conducted with support from Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. There is no cost to participants for the either the blood draw or laboratory analysis.
 
The blood tests will measure the level of PFOA in an individual's blood, and this can be compared to levels measured by CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for adults and older children in the U.S. Most adults have low levels of PFOA in their blood.
 
Clinic Dates - Blood draw clinics for eligible people are by appointment only. The clinics will be held at the Health Department district office in Bennington on June 24 and June 28.
 
Eligibility - A person is eligible for the blood test if:
  1. The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation tested the well of the home in North Bennington/Bennington where you live now, or where you lived any time in the past eight years. - and/or -
  2. You worked or lived at the former Chemfab/Saint-Gobain site at 940/1030 Water Street in North Bennington, or you work or live there now.
Registration and Scheduling - To begin the registration process, complete the online survey by May 31, 2016: http://survey.healthvermont.gov/s3/PFOA-Blood-Draw-Registration .
 
The Health Department will contact eligible participants to schedule appointments. Before having blood drawn at the scheduled appointment, a health and exposure questionnaire must be completed for each participant regarding water consumption patterns, diet and exercise, work history, and health history.
 
Reporting Results - After the clinics are completed, it will be several months for the results to be analyzed and reported back to individuals.
BenningtonNorth Bennington & Bennington Update

Update on North Bennington and Bennington PFOA Testing Results -- Results have been received for all 432 private wells sampled to date in North Bennington and Bennington. Of the 432 wells, 227 contain PFOA in concentrations over Vermont's 20 parts per trillion health advisory limit for drinking water, ranging between 20 and 2,730 parts trillion. Fifty wells contain PFOA below 20 parts per trillion. The remaining 155 wells were not found to contain PFOA.
 
An  updated sampling map  showing all results is available on the Department of Environmental Conservation webpage with information on the PFOA response. Tabulated results  are also available.
 
The updated map also outlines a small expansion to the area of concern. Based on the most recent results, the sampling area will now include homes with private wells along East Road and north of the former Bennington Landfill, and along Town Line Road and Harwood Hill Road (Route 7A)   in the Town of Bennington.
 
Well sampling will resume next week in this area to ensure the degree and extent of PFOA contamination in the area is fully captured. Residents can  sign-up online to request a well sample  if they are located within the sampling area. Bottled water is available for pick-up at D's Market and Deli on 1404 East Road. The North Bennington Variety store is no longer offering bottled water pick-up for impacted residents.
 
Preliminary engineering study for Town of Bennington water system extension received -- MSK Engineering & Design submitted a preliminary engineering report to DEC outlining expansion approaches for the Town of Bennington water distribution system. The full report has been posted online. DEC staff are currently reviewing the report, and expect to set-up a public meeting in the coming weeks to discuss the report's findings and next steps with impacted residents.

The preliminary engineering report for the Village of North Bennington will be available next week.  
  
PownalPownal Update
Fire District #2 Prudential Committee Update -- Unicorn Management Consulting (UMC) attended the Fire District #2 Prudential Committee special meeting in Pownal on Wednesday night. They indicated a commitment to installing the filtration system by the end of June.  
infoInformation Resources Available
For general PFOA questions and concerns:
Call 2-1-1.
Visit: Vermont DEC PFOA Response Page

For questions about potential health effects of PFOA:
Call the Vermont Department of Health toll-free at 800-439-8550.
Visit: Vermont Department Health PFOA Page

You may also reply to this e-mail with general questions.