EXETER, N.H. (WCAX) People worried about water contamination had their voices heard at the EPA’s first-ever community engagement meeting.
The summit was held in New Hampshire Monday and Tuesday.
Shaina Kasper, Toxics Action Center’s Vermont state director, attended and says it’s not just about the conversation, but real action when it comes to the cancer-causing chemicals PFAS.
Although the EPA has a health advisory for the chemicals, Kasper says there needs to be a national EPA standard of 1 part per trillion for all PFAS chemicals combined.
"Summits like these have, you know, have given a platform for impacted community-groups across the region to get their voices heard," said Kasper.
"And what they’re saying is we need strong, enforceable drinking water standard, testing and clean up for these chemicals not just across New England, but across the country and across the world."
An EPA spokesperson says these chemicals are a top priority for the EPA, and they are currently evaluating the need for a maximum contaminant level.
This is the first summit in a series of regional meetings.