Suspected contamination source: Former location of Textiles Coated International (TCI) (NHDES, 2016)
2016 New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) well water testing of 11 wells within a one-mile radius of the former location of Textiles Coated International (TCI) showed high levels of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) ranging from non-detect to 620 parts per trillion (ppt). Four of the 11 water well test results were more than 100 ppt.
The discovery followed the announcement that the DES was contacting 40 manufacturers in the state regarding 44 current and former facilities that may have used PFASs.
TCI, which manufactures high-performance fluoropolymer films, laminates and composites, is on that state list, and was marked as a priority. Officials said the TCI plant in Amherst operated from 1985 to 2006.
Residents with wells higher than 100 ppt were advised not to drink the water. Bottled water deliveries are being made to homes with private wells within a half-mile radius of TCI. TCI indicated that they will fund preparation of a design and bid specification package for construction of a public water line to the remaining residents in Amherst currently receiving bottled water. In October 2017, TCI agreed to connect 102 Amherst properties to the Pennichuck public water system. In April, another agreement was reached for TCI to fund the design of a potential public water extension in Amherst. Water main construction and service connections are still underway.
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) offered blood testing to residents whose drinking water supply has been contaminated with PFASs. Individuals tested in Amherst had higher levels of PFOA exposure than the general U.S. population.
In March 2018, Saint-Gobain reached a Settlement Agreement and Consent Order with the NH DES.
Additional Resources
Media Coverage:
- Amherst addresses PFOA contamination
- New test reveals higher PFOA levels in Amherst water
- NHDES and TCI announce agreement to fund potential public water extension in Amherst
Full citations are available on the second page of the full contamination site tracker. We ask for your additions, changes, questions and comments be sent to pfasproject@gmail.com.