SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. — Forever chemicals have gotten closer to your drinking supply than you think if you live in the Mountain State, according to one organization.
Angie Rosser, executive director of the West Virginia Rivers Coalition says PFAS (per- and polyflouroalkyl substances) are a large group of man-made toxic chemicals that are known to cause adverse health effects at very low levels of exposure. They are referred to as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down in the environment.
A documentary presented by the group, which talks about P-FAS problems in a Michigan town, has some parallels in the Eastern Panhandle, as both communities are home to an Airforce base that used a kind of PFAS in their fire-fighting foam.
The West Virginia Rivers Coalition cites a recent West Virginia study they say found PFAS at levels exceeding current health advisories in the raw water used by 130 public water systems across the state, including a notable concentration of contamination in WV’s Eastern Panhandle.
Rosser says only a few years back, Martinsburg had to switch its water supply and an exposure assessment of residents was done. She says the assessment showed “local residents have elevated levels of PFAS in their blood supply upwards of two-and-a-half times the national average.”
Her group is advocating protections for West Virginia citizens against the harmful affects of P-FAS, which can be found in many commonly used items including food packaging, waterproof clothing and stain-resistant carpeting.
Rosser says House Bill 3189, known as the PFAS Protection Act passed out of the House Judiciary Committee Monday. Among the goals is to find out who is responsible for letting PFAS into the water sources so the burden for mitigation doesn’t fall on residents.
The documentary, called “No Defense,” is set for 7 p.m. Thursday February 23rd at the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education, Shepherd University, 213 N. King St., Shepherdstown, W.Va. A panel discussion is set to follow. The event is being offered free of charge.
****Press Release******
WEST VIRGINIA RIVERS COALITION TO SPONSOR SHOWING OF DOCUMENTARY ON “FOREVER CHEMICALS
When: February 23 at 7:00pm
Where: Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education, Shepherd University, 213 N. King St., Shepherdstown WV
What: Screening of No Defense documentary, followed by discussion panel
Why: An opportunity for the public to learn more about PFAS contamination in West Virginia and across the nation as the West Virginia Legislature considers the “PFAS Protection Act” (SB 485 / HB 3189)
No Defense, a documentary about the effects of exposure to PFAS, will be shown at 7pm on Thursday, February 23, at the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education in Shepherdstown. A panel discussion on local PFAS issues will immediately follow the showing of the documentary. West Virginia Rivers Coalition (WV Rivers) is sponsoring the event, which is free to the public.
No Defense is about a small town in Michigan on Lake Huron that is next door to a US Air Force base from which B-52 bombers operated. Residents, some of whom are veterans, are interviewed about their exposure to the toxic firefighting foam used at the base. That same firefighting foam was used at the Shepherd Field Air National Guard base in Martinsburg, and was identified as the source of PFAS contamination of local public water supplies. An exposure assessment found elevated levels of PFAS in the blood of Berkeley County residents.
PFAS (per- and polyflouroalkyl substances) are a large group of man-made toxic chemicals that are known to cause adverse health effects at very low levels of exposure. They are referred to as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down in the environment.
A recent WV study found PFAS at levels exceeding current health advisories in the raw water used by 130 public water systems across the state, including a notable concentration of contamination in WV’s Eastern Panhandle.
“We thank the Robert C. Byrd Center for hosting this community event,” said Angie Rosser, executive director of the West Virginia Rivers Coalition. “This documentary shows clearly the dangers of PFAS, and why action is needed.” West Virginia Rivers Coalition supports the PFAS Protection Act that has been introduced as SB 485 and HB 3189 with strong bipartisan support.