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Delaware Engineering says Cairo PFAS levels are down

Mar 20, 2020 10:00 am
Sarah Trafton is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media Delaware Engineering says the level of PFAS, a man-made toxic contaminant, found in the town of Cairo's drinking water, is on the decline. A 2019 water quality report found levels of 8.37 to 8.51 parts per trillion in the water based on testing done in October 2017. Town Supervisor John Coyne said March 19, testing by Delaware Engineering showed levels at 3 parts per trillion. Progress toward securing drinking and cooking water for the Cairo-Durham Elementary School was recently announced. The district ordered water coolers and water to supply the fountains and the kitchen, according to meeting minutes. “The water and water coolers are on site and will be operational when we return to school from the current closure,” Cairo-Durham Superintendent Michael Wetherbee said this week. “At this point we are unsure how much water will be needed." Wetherbee said the town water crisis impacts only the elementary school. The district closed March 17 due to the coronavirus outbreak and will remain closed until at least April 1. PFAS is linked to kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, liver damage, preeclampsia and other conditions. Cairo was identified as one of the locations statewide impacted by PFAS compounds in a lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General Office against DuPont, 3M and other manufactures in November. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.