CARING FOR OUR POND

PFAS Information

Overview

PFAS is the acronym for Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, "Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that includes PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and many other chemicals. The use of fire fighting foams especially near military facilities has contributed to elevated levels of this contaminant. PFAS have been manufactured and used in a variety of industries around the globe, including in the United States since the 1940s. PFOA and PFOS have been the most extensively produced and studied of these chemicals. Both chemicals are very persistent in the environment and in the human body – meaning they don’t break down and they can accumulate over time. There is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse human health effects.

One local point source for PFAS in our area has been definitively determined- a tire recycling facility off Willow Rd in Ayer. The belief is that fire fighting foam used to extinguish a tire fire in 2010 is a point source for PFAS affecting Ayer and Littleton municipal and private wells in our immediate area. A possible 2nd point source is being investigated.

PFAS has been detected in Spectacle Pond itself, as well as in private wells on properties abutting the pond as early as 2019 [2016 for Ayer’s Grove Pond wells].  The early readings at Littleton’s Spec Pond Water Treatment Plant showed an average total of 25 ppt of the six PFAS compounds:  PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, PFHpA & PFDA. Since that time, MA has established a “maximum contamination level” of 20 ppt (or ng/L) for these 6 compounds, and the EPA lowered its drinking water “health advisory” for PFOA to 0.004 ppt and for PFOS to 0.02 ppt.

Perfluorooctanoic Acid = PFOA

Detecting PFAS

Many residents have their well water tested for PFAS. A PFAS-specific test has to be ordered (vs a regular water test); the cost is $400.00 (as of Jan 2023) by Nashoba Analytical in Ayer MA, with turnaround time of some weeks. Alternatively, Littleton Water Department (LWD) will collect private well water samples and have these analyzed for a reduced cost to the owner at $250. LWD subsidy is $100 for this testing. The data collected will likely be shared with MassDEP and become public however. Turnaround time is quicker going through LWD on the order of 2-3 weeks. Contact Corey Godfrey (978-540-2282) if you’d like to take advantage of the LWD offer/subsidy. LWD has also offered to measure the depth of private wells. This could be important data in further characterizing and mapping the flow of contamination through our aquifer.

Addressing PFAS in Water Supply

Activities that do not result in significant water ingestion like showering, washing dishes and brushing teeth are ok. Consider not watering edible plants with water that contains PFAS.

Swimming in Spectacle Pond is OK!

There are filters that remove PFAS. A filter that is NSF certified (NSF is an independent, accredited organization that tests and certifies products and systems to protect and improve human health) is recommended; to know if a filter is NSF certified look for “NSF P473” or “NSF Certified to Standard P473” on the product, packaging, or specifications. At present, only “Point of Use (PoU)” i.e. at the bottom of a kitchen sink filters have NSF certification. “Point of Entry (PoE)” i.e. next to the water main, also known as whole house filers, are not currently certified. [Source]

While there are two types of filters that remove PFAS: granular activated carbon (GAC) and reverse osmosis (RO) filters, only GACs are allowed for Spectacle Pond. The rationale is that RO filters add a higher concentration of PFAS back into the ground.

In June 2021, the Littleton Electric Light & Water Departments (LELWD) broke ground on a new water treatment plant on Whitcomb Avenue. The plant will remove PFAS chemical compounds, as well as iron and manganese, from water sourced from wells at Whitcomb Avenue and Spectacle Pond. Use of Spectacle Pond water has been greatly reduced, and its water is only used after dilution with water from the Beaver Brook wells to ensure the finished product meets state standards. With the completion of the Whitcomb Avenue water treatment plant, all water from the Spectacle Pond well will be treated to remove PFAS compounds. [Source]

Resouces

Littleton Electric, Light and Water Departments (LELWD)

Interactive map of PFAS detected in the United States

Environmental Working Group (EWG) Guide to Avoiding PFAS Chemicals

An informative NH site that gives recommendations for various treatment based on well contaminates

Relevant presentations and info from town of Ayer website

Spectacle Pond Association PFAS Committee

Leon Weaver, a retired engineer and past president of Spectacle Pond Association, provides leadership in data mining, testing strategies and mapping. He is currently retired after working 47 years as a manager in high-tech engineering design, advanced manufacturing and computing. Although retired, he continues to consult with the Littleton Water Department as an unpaid employee. Leon is the committee organizer and the primary link to Mass DEP and Littleton Water Department. He lives on the pond on Sandas Point Road and is married to Ann Bousquet

Dr. Dale Levandier, a physical chemist by training, and recently a Senior Research Scientist at Boston College Institute for Scientific Research before retiring in 2017, is a new member of SPA. Dale has a PhD. in Chemistry from the University of Waterloo (Canada) and continues to publish in prestigious science journals. With his background in research and with an understanding of PFAS molecules, he helps the committee stay grounded in the science as they work to characterize the spread of PFAS. Dale lives with his wife Frances Markel on Sandas Point Road

Ron Forni is a highly experienced Engineer with Program Management experience (B.S. in Engineering Science from Caltech and Program Management Training from WPI). Ron is a Senior R&D Engineer with 35 years of experience and is an inventor on 25 patents. He is also the author and contributor on several published papers. He brings an organized approach to his work on complex multi-discipline problems ranging from medical products and chemical detectors, to compressors and vacuum pumps.

Kathy Lubar is founder and past president of the Ariel Group, a global leadership development company. As coach leader, teacher and actress, Kathy helps the committee with outreach and communications. She is coauthor of the best-selling book, Presence: Dramatic Techniques to Reach Out, Motivate, and Inspire. Kathy lives with her husband the author and photographer, George Kinder and with their two teenaged daughters.

Dr. Rob Piotrowski is presently Treasurer of the Spectacle Pond Association. He is an Emergency Medicine Physician, member of the New Hampshire Air National Guard, spouse to Sharrie Piotrowski and father to two active children. He has a B.S in Biochemistry from Eastern Michigan University and M.D. from The Ohio State College of Medicine. He has served on the Pease Health Advisory Board as the Medical Advisor for PFAS in New Hampshire. He has also served as the senior physician on the New England CERFP (biological chemical radiological nuclear and explosive) response team. He brings the perspective on how PFAS relates to human health and well-being.