High levels of toxins detected at fire training facility

BRENTWOOD, N.H. (AP) - Monitoring wells at a Brentwood fire training facility detected elevated levels of two toxins.

The Portsmouth Herald reports (https://bit.ly/2m2xFLX ) the state Department of Environmental Services says the combined concentration of perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, and perfluorooctane sulfonate, or PFOS, was as high as 12,600 parts per trillion on Rockingham County-owned land.

That’s higher than the Environmental Protection Agency’s health advisory standard of 70 parts per trillion.

PFOS and PFOA are classified as “contaminants of emerging concern.”

Officials say none of the surrounding drinking water wells detected the chemicals except for one, which had low levels.

The county commissioner’s office hasn’t immediately responded to a call seeking comment.

Officials say the same type of firefighting foam used at the facility also contaminated a well at the former Pease Air Force Base.

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Information from: Portsmouth Herald, https://www.seacoastonline.com