Read the full article by Ta’Leah Van Sistine (The Everett Herald)

Workers demolish the old building at Madrona K-8 School in 2018. (Stephanie Davey / The Herald)

PFAS found near Edmonds school sparks concerns about wells

Madrona K-8 School’s stormwater system is designed to filter pollutants. But locals still worry chemicals will seep into an aquifer.

“EDMONDS — The state Department of Ecology is investigating contamination near Madrona K-8 School, after a consulting firm found so-called ‘forever chemicals’ in the school’s stormwater management system.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are found in hundreds of products: carpets, paints and firefighting foams, among others. Historically, manufacturers used PFAS because they resist grease, oil, water and heat. They are aptly called forever chemicals because they take centuries to break down.

Exposure to drinking water contaminated with PFAS may cause certain cancers and other serious health effects.

Ecology has not obtained data yet on Madrona’s groundwater, so it is unclear if the contamination exceeds state cleanup standards. The chemicals wouldn’t affect the school’s drinking water.”…