Report released on PFOA contamination-related illnesses
By:
Web Staff
August 21, 2018
BENNINGTON, Vt. (NEWS10) -
The results of a local PFOA study was released on Tuesday.
The report by Bennington College and a team of local environmental and health experts includes previously unreported cases of cancer and other serious injuries linked to PFOA.
It focuses on three main areas in our region dealing with the contamination including Hoosick Falls, Petersburgh, and Bennington.
“PFOA has been associated with a number of serious illnesses. Residents of Hoosick Falls, Petersburgh, and Bennington were exposed to PFOA in the air and in their drinking water for an unknown period of time. People have the right to know if drinking contaminated water and breathing polluted air affected their health. The only way to do that is to establish a long-term medical monitoring program. Every resident needs to make sure their medical providers know about their exposures and that necessary tests are conducted, beyond the blood work being offered by the State Health Department,” said Judith Enck, former EPA Regional Administrator.
A total of 443 people completed the study and reported various illnesses including kidney cancer, testicular cancer, pregnancy induced hypertension, and 231 cases of thyroid disease.
Read more about the study and its findings.