MERRIMACK – Wells near Merrimack’s Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics have levels of a potentially cancer-causing acid at twice the EPA’s recommended level for short-term exposure.

The state Department of Environmental Services released the results of initial water samples late Friday. The tests showed that some wells near the Daniel Webster Highway facility had high levels of perflurooctanoic acid – PFOA – an industrial chemical used in non-stick applications, such as Teflon cookware and water-resistant clothing.

The EPA has not set a safe exposure limit that bears the weight of the law, but its Office of Water recommends avoiding short-term exposure to levels above 400 parts per trillion. The levels of contaminant found in sampling done by DES from wells in Merrimack and Litchfield showed the presence of PFOA at levels as high as 820 parts per trillion.

“The test results show levels of PFOA from 17 to 820 parts per trillion. Test results from the Merrimack Village Water District ranged from 17 to 90 parts per trillion.” DES said in a press release.

The test results follow a report by DES that Saint-Gobain had reported the discovery of low levels of PFOA in water taps found at the company’s Merrimack facility. Those levels ranged no higher than 40 parts per trillion, but the presence of PFOA initiated a DES investigation into the presences of the acid in local wells and in the Merrimack Village Water District.

“The Merrimack Village Water District public water supply wells all tested below both … 400 parts per trillion and the level at which NHDES determined it would be appropriate to initially provide bottled water,” DES said.

Though the entire area served by the water utility will not receive bottled water, the press release said that users drawing water from contaminated wells with levels above 100 parts per trillion will be given water. The press release did not specify the location or area serviced by the exact well or wells contaminated by PFOA at higher than recommended levels or the specifics of how or when the bottled water will be distributed.

Information released by the EPA suggests chronic PFOA exposure has been linked to testicular and kidney cancer, as well as thyroid disease, high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis and pregnancy-induced hypertension. There is no established lifetime exposure limit, but some studies conducted by 3M, a PFOA manufacture, and reported by the Huffington Post, have suggested that exposure to levels as low as 100 parts per trillion can more than triple the chances of prostate cancer.

Public information sessions have been scheduled to discuss the results of the water tests with those affected. The Merrimack session will be held at 7 p.m. March 23 at James Mastricola Upper Elementary School. The Litchfield session will be held at 7 p.m. March 24 at Litchfield Middle School.

Based on the initial test findings, DES said it has scheduled additional tests to be carried out in Merrimack and Litchfield.

Matthew Medsger can be reached at 594-6531, mmedsger@ nashuatelegraph.com or @Telegraph_MattM.

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