East Kingston Meeting To Address Groundwater Contamination

EAST KINGSTON, NH — This week, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services will hold a public informational meeting pertaining to PFAS contamination in the East Kingstron area. The meeting will address the state's ongoing investigation into the presence of the chemical in local groundwaters. The meeting will take place Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at East Kingston Elementary School, located at 5 Andrews Lane.

According to Department of Environmental Services, PFAS is a group of man-made chemicals that have been used for decades in household and commercial products. These chemicals are used in items such as non-stick cookware, stain-resistant furniture and carpets, and microwave popcorn bags.

These chemicals can move through soil, get into groundwater and be carried through air, according to DES. Although it's believed most people in the United States have some level of PFAS in their bodies, too much exposure to the chemicals can cause health issues. In recent years, environmental officials have discovered high levels of the chemicals in several wells in New Hampshire, including in Merrimack and Pease Tradeport in Portsmouth.

On Thursday, department officials will update the public about its ongoing investigation behind the levels of these chemicals in the East Kingston area. The environmental agency is currently considering lowering the legal limit for PFAS chemicals in public waters.

For more information, contact NHDES Public Information Officer Jim Martin at 603-271-3710.