Northeast and Northcentral PA Address Rising 'Forever Chemicals' Exposure
Awareness of PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” is rising across Northeast and Northcentral Pennsylvania due to new testing and federal regulations. Many sites, including the Lakeland School District and a Columbia County mobile home park, have found PFAS levels exceeding the EPA’s 4 parts per trillion limit. Communities and authorities are actively installing treatment systems, providing bottled water, and investigating contamination sources, such as historical sewage sludge spreading, to mitigate exposure and health risks.
Across Northeast and Northcentral Pennsylvania, awareness of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” is significantly increasing due to new testing capabilities and stringent federal regulations. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized primary drinking water regulations in 2024, setting a limit of four parts per trillion (ppt) for most PFAS chemicals. Many communities and institutions are discovering contamination, prompting urgent action.For instance, the Lakeland School District in Scott Twp. found PFAS levels as high as 30 ppt in its high school water, leading to plans for a building-wide treatment system. Superintendent Marc Wyandt highlighted this as a microcosm of widespread issues, emphasizing student and staff safety. PFAS are synthetic chemicals with unique properties, used since the 1940s in numerous products like firefighting foams and non-stick cookware, eventually leaching into groundwater.Beyond schools, a mobile home park in Columbia County, Brookside Village, recorded some of the state’s highest PFAS levels, reaching 110 times state standards. A Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) investigation suggests historic spreading of sewage sludge on agricultural land as the cause, with DEP providing bottled water and installing home treatment systems for affected residents. Pike County’s Matamoras Municipal Authority also reported 30 ppt levels, leading to reduced well use and plans for new infrastructure. These situations underscore the pervasive nature of PFAS, the health risks associated with exposure, and the collaborative efforts by local and state agencies to identify sources, implement remediation, and protect public health.
