Health officials to sample
all private wells in these areas at no charge to homeowners as a precautionary
measure
The Suffolk
County Department of Health Services (SCDHS) announced today that it will be
conducting private well surveys in an area of Quogue southeast of Gabreski
Airport and in an area of East Quogue adjacent to the northeast boundary of
Gabreski Airport. SCDHS would like to sample private wells in these areas at no
charge. Residents in the survey areas currently using a private well may wish
to take advantage of free bottled water as a precaution until results of their
water test are available.
Residents
whose homes are connected to a public water supply do not need to have their
water tested as the public water supply is routinely tested.
The
announcement follows the detection of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and
perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in a groundwater monitoring well on the eastern
area of the Gabreski Airport property. Though at this time it is unknown
whether off-site groundwater downgradient of this eastern area of Gabreski
Airport property is contaminated, these private well surveys are being
conducted out of an abundance of caution.
PFOS and
PFOA are part of a class of chemicals known as PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and
polyfluoroalkyl substances). PFAS have been used in a number of
industrial and commercial products such as firefighting foam, as well as
coatings that repel water, oil, stains and grease, such as food packaging,
water-resistant clothing and stain-resistant carpeting. Thus, people may
be exposed to PFOS and PFOA through air, water, or soil from industrial sources
and from consumer products.
The United
States EPA has established a health advisory level for PFOS and PFOA in
drinking water at a concentration of 70 parts per trillion (ppt).
According to the EPA, Health Advisory Levels are established to protect the
most sensitive populations, including fetuses during pregnancy and breastfed
babies, against potential adverse health effects from exposure to contaminants
in drinking water.
Groundwater
monitoring by the SCDHS related to a county-owned Brownfields site known as the
Canine Kennel, located in the eastern area of Gabreski Airport found elevated
levels of PFOS and PFOA. Based on the location of these detections, it
appears that the Canine Kennel site is not the source of the PFAS in
groundwater. The County, in coordination with the New York State Departments of
Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Health (DOH), is planning to conduct
additional groundwater monitoring in this area of the airport property.
The private
well survey in the vicinity of Quogue is located in the area bounded on the
north by Bluejay Way, on the west by Peacock Path and the Quantuck Creek, south
by the Quantuck Bay, Quogue Canal and the Shinnecock Bay and to the east by
Heatherwood Lane and Quogue Riverhead Road (see attached map). SCDHS estimates
that approximately 33 properties with private wells are located in this area.
The private
well survey in the vicinity of East Quogue is located in the area bounded on
the north by Lewis Road and Gabreski Airport, on the west by Quogue Riverhead
Road, Whippoorwill Lane and Peacock Path, to the south by Bluejay Way, Woodleigh
Place, Sachem Lane and Damascus Road, and to the east by Lewis Road (see
attached map). SCDHS estimates that approximately 29 properties with private
wells are located in this area.
Out of an
abundance of caution, the SCDHS would like to sample properties that are served
with a private well in these areas at no charge to homeowners. Residents
in this area who use a private well are advised to contact the SCDHS Office of
Water Resources at 631-852-5810 to have their wells tested. The laboratory analysis
for PFAS will be conducted by a private laboratory contracted by the DEC.
The New York
State Department of Health has indicated that consumption (drinking or cooking)
is the primary exposure concern for PFAS in drinking water. Bathing and
showering are not expected to be a concern even if PFAS are present in the
water supply. Out of an abundance of caution, the DEC is providing free bottled
water to residents who live in the private well survey area described above,
pending results from their private well. If you use a private well for
drinking or cooking purposes and live in the survey areas, you may call
631-852-4820 to schedule a delivery of bottled water. Deliveries will typically
be provided within 48 hours after calling to request bottled water.
Anyone with
general questions about health effects of PFAS is advised to call the New York
State Department of Health at 518-402-7950 Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. - 4
p.m.
Residents
who are unsure if they are served by public water may call the Suffolk County
Water Authority at 631-698-9500.
Residents
who have questions about private well water in Suffolk County may contact the
SCDHS Office of Water Resources at 631-852-5810.
For
additional information about PFAS, please visit the SCDHS website at: www.suffolkcountyny.gov/health/pfcwaterinfo.
For more
information on perfluorinated compounds, see USEPA
Fact Sheet: PFOA & PFOS Drinking Water Health Advisories.
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