CDC Is Reviewing Water Contamination

A review is underway after New Jersey officials declared five companies are allegedly responsible for “extensive contamination” of drinking water at a number of sites across the state.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it has started a study to examine the relationship between drinking water contaminated with polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances, collectively referred to as PFAS chemicals, in New Jersey and elsewhere.

Read More: CDC Review Of 'Extensive Contamination' Of Water In New Jersey

The CDC awarded $1 million to Rutgers University, which will join six other institutions that will study the possible cancer-causing health effects of PFAS chemicals that, according to recent report from the state Department of Environmental Protection, were detected at at least 22 sites in New Jersey.

The review comes after the DEP identified five companies it says are responsible for the "extensive contamination" and directing them to fund millions of dollars in assessment and cleanup efforts, Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe announced.

The directive issued requires the five companies – Solvay, DuPont, Dow DuPont, Chemours and 3M – to provide the DEP a detailed accounting of their use and discharge of PFAS chemicals in New Jersey.

It's not known who may have been directly or indirectly impacted by the contamination. The Asbury Park Press recently reported that nearly one in five New Jerseyans are delivered tap water that contains at least trace amounts of a chemical linked to cancer and low birth weights.

Related: Cancer-Linked Contaminants Found In Ridgewood's Tap Water

Read more: 5 Companies Did 'Extensive Contamination' Of Your NJ Water: DEP

The Department of Environmental Protection also reported in a 2014 study that two-thirds of New Jersey public water systems in 20 counties tested positive for the chemicals, noting that PFAS endures long after its use has ceased.

Ridgewood Water Department - which serves Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Midland Park and Wyckoff - was one of those systems and included in that report.

Click here to see what other water systems are included in the DEP's report.