A quarterly letter was recently sent out alerting residents that the Livingston Township Division of Water is still reporting levels of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) above drinking water standards. A letter is required to be sent to residents for each quarter a well is in violation until it is remediated.The maximum contaminant level for PFOA is 0.014 micrograms per liter, based on a running annual average of the four most recent quarters. As of the latest average, four well treatment plants in town are in violation. The wells listed are 4, 8, 10, and 11, though no explanation is given for what or where those numbers refer to in town. As of this moment, all but well 10 are still in use. Well 10 has been undergoing a treatment design since September of 2021.What is PFOA?Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a member of the group of chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), used as a processing aid in the manufacture of fluoropolymers used in non-stick cookware and other products, as well as other commercial and industrial uses, based on its resistance to harsh chemicals and high temperatures. PFOA has also been used in aqueous film-forming foams for firefighting and training, and it is found in consumer products such as stain-resistant coatings for upholstery and carpets, water-resistant outdoor clothing, and greaseproof food packaging. Major sources of PFOA in drinking water include discharge from industrial facilities where it was made or used and the release of aqueous filmforming foam. Although the use of PFOA has decreased substantially, contamination is expected to continue indefinitely because it is extremely persistent in the environment and is soluble and mobile in water.Health EffectsPeople who drink water containing PFOA in excess of the MCL over time could experience problems with their blood serum cholesterol levels, liver, kidney, immune system, or, in males, the reproductive system. Drinking water containing PFOA in excess of the MCL over time may also increase the risk of testicular and kidney cancer. For females, drinking water containing PFOA in excess of the MCL over time may cause developmental delays in a fetus and/or an infant. Some of these developmental effects may persist through childhood.Exposure to PFAS (the general class of chemicals that PFOA falls under) in drinking water is primarily from ingestion of the water and food prepared with the water. Exposure to PFAS through household uses of water such as showering, bathing, laundry,
