Officials Probe After Chemicals Found In South Orange Water Well
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- New Jersey State environmental officials say there is evidence of trace chemical contamination in the water coming from a well in South Orange.
As CBS2's Lou Young reported, officials found evidence of prefluorinated chemicals -- or PFCs -- in the water coming from local Well 17. The water was tested at 58 parts per trillion.
PFCs aren't regulated, which makes it harder for officials to determine if drinking the chemicals is dangerous.
"They're studying it, they're evaluating it and from everything I've seen at some point in the future it will be regulated," South Orange Village Administrator Barry Lewis said.
The levels of PFCs are extremely low and the chemicals are found everywhere in the modern environment. PFCs are typically found in teflon cookware, microwave popcorn bags, waterproofing sprays and stain-resistant carpets.
However, there's suspicion the chemicals could be connected to neurological problems, prompting concerns over their presence in the water.
"The state DEP and feds haven't determined exactly what the course of action should be," Walter Clarke, a South Orange trustee, said.
Possible fixes could involved implementing a filtration system -- but there are risks.
"If we shut the well off the area basements would start to flood -- it's relieving the hydrostatic pressure that's in that area," South Orange trustee Howard Levison said.
PFCs have also turned up in Orange, Montclair, Garfield, Fairlawn, Ridgewood, Hawthorne, Lakewood, Point Pleasant, Union, Atlantic City and Aqua.
