"NJ Fighting Rise In Water Tainted By Common Chemical"

"A man-made chemical used in the manufacture of stain-resistant carpets, waterproof clothing, non-stick cooking pans and other products that make life less messy has spread so far through the environment that it can be found everywhere from the fish in the Delaware River to polar bears in the Arctic — and even some drinking water in North Jersey.

The chemical, perfluorooctanoic acid, is considered a likely human carcinogen and has been linked to a growing array of health problems. Concerned about its spread to the drinking water supply, state officials are developing new regulations that will require suppliers to treat the water to reduce the amount of the chemical reaching the taps.

Water samples taken by the state and federal government over the past few years found the chemical, also known as PFOA or C8, in numerous drinking water systems in New Jersey — including five in North Jersey — at levels high enough to cause potential health problems, according to researchers. The contaminant is found much more frequently in drinking water in New Jersey than in many other states."

James M. O’Neill reports for the Bergen Record February 14, 2016.