The U.S. Navy will host an open house next week to connect with area residents and request permission to sample private drinking water of those who live around the Mechanicsburg base.
The Navy wants to test private wells for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, within its sampling area near Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg. The Navy is not interested in testing water of those served by Pennsylvania American Water or Veolia Water Pennsylvania.
The open house will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the West Shore Elks #2257 at 108 N. St. John's Church Road in Hampden Township.
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Although complete results won't be available until next month, preliminary results from the Navy's testing of residential wells around the Hampden Township depot don't indicate an elevated level of chemicals known as PFAS.
At the open house, residents will have the opportunity to check if their property is eligible for free sampling and to schedule a sampling appointment. Residents can also speak to representatives of the Navy, Environmental Protection Agency, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Health and local officials, as well as view information on current environmental work around the base.
The Navy said in a news release Thursday that it is committed to investigating and addressing PFAS concerns across its properties nationwide. For more information, visit the Navy's website or call 800-730-1478. Appointments are being scheduled between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. beginning June 17.
Firefighters Fear Forever Chemicals in Safety Gear Could Cause Cancer
Firefighters around the country are concerned that gear laced with the toxic industrial compound PFAS could be one reason why cancer rates among their ranks are rising. The multi-layered coats and pants worn by firefighters have become the latest battleground over PFAS, or per- and polyfluorinated substances. The compound is better known as forever chemicals due to a strong bond that prevents it from breaking down over time. It is found in everything from food packaging to clothing and linked to health problems including several types of cancer. The compound is used in turnout gear to repel water and other substances when fighting a fire.
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