State officials in Pennsylvania are facing a public outcry after it was revealed that they failed to test wells in Benner Township for water contamination for more than two years. This led the contamination to go unaddressed for all that time, meaning that people were unknowingly consuming toxic chemicals that could have a negative impact on their long-term health. Residents are now demanding that the state provide answers regarding how their water was contaminated, and why the authorities did not warn them before now. They also want to know which parties are responsible for the contamination.
What Happened in Benner Township?
In 2019, state officials discovered that the tap water near Penn State University’s airport had been tainted with PFAS, a type of chemical used in certain industries that has been linked to numerous health problems. Despite knowing about this water contamination, state officials failed to test the wells in nearby neighborhoods in Benner Township until December 2021. When testing was eventually done, it was found that 41 of 50 wells in the affected area showed PFAS contamination, with 11 showing levels above the EPA’s advisory threshold at the time.
What Are PFAS?
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a type of chemical that has been used across numerous industries since the 1950s. They were considered noteworthy for their ability to resist friction and sticking, making them seemingly ideal chemicals for things like non-stick cookware, stain resistant clothing, and firefighting foam. However, it was eventually discovered that these chemicals were toxic for human consumption, and worse, they do not naturally break down in the environment or in the human body, allowing them to accumulate to toxic levels over the course of years or decades.
What Are the Dangers of PFAS Contamination?
People who are exposed to toxic levels of PFAS contamination, such as from water contamination, can suffer from a number of long-term health problems. These include, but are not limited to:
- Decreased fertility
- Asthma
- Thyroid disease
- Liver damage
- High cholesterol
- Lowered birth weight
- Pregnancy-related hypertension
- Pre-eclampsia
- Kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
What Should You Do If You Have Been Exposed to PFAS Due to Water Contamination?
If you or someone you love has been potentially exposed to toxic levels of PFAS and you suffer from one or more of the above symptoms, you may want to speak to a doctor about the potential risks. You should also contact a lawyer with experience handling environmental contamination cases, who can help you to explore your legal options. With their help, you may be able to get the compensation that you and your loved ones deserve.
Williams Cedar is a law firm dedicated to helping clients with personal injury, environmental law, and civil rights cases. We specialize in assisting clients who have been injured due to exposure to environmental toxins, including veterans and their loved ones. If you need legal assistance due to toxic exposure or other related matters, please give us a call at our New Jersey and Pennsylvania offices at (215) 557-0099, or visit our contact page.