According to a recent risk assessment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified an "unacceptable added risk" from accidental ingestion of surface waters near the Coakley Landfill Superfund Site. This finding, centered around toxic PFAS chemicals, raises alarms about the potential long-term health impacts on individuals who come into contact with surface waters from Berrys Brook, Little River, and nearby wetlands.
The September 2023 risk assessment focused on multiple PFAS chemicals, widely known for their persistence in the environment and potential to cause serious health issues. According to the EPA's findings, contamination levels in surface water have not significantly changed over time, but the agency's understanding of the toxicity of PFAS compounds has evolved. This new information led to an updated evaluation, which found that both cancer and non-cancer risks exceeded acceptable levels.
Richard “Skip" Hull, an EPA remedial project manager, highlighted the challenge posed by evolving scientific research: “The levels of contaminants in surface water really haven’t changed since we started testing for them... What has changed is more and more research on these contaminants, specifically PFAS compounds and the understanding of the toxicity levels.”
The EPA is directing the Coakley Landfill Group, comprised of municipalities and waste generators identified as potentially responsible for the contamination, to increase public awareness of the risks. Additional signs warning of the danger will be posted near surface waters, advising the public to avoid contact. Beyond warning signs, the agency is exploring long-term solutions to reduce the migration of contaminants from the landfill to nearby water sources.
PFAS chemicals are resistant to degradation and can remain in the environment for long periods. Their widespread use in consumer and industrial products has made them ubiquitous, with traces found in the bloodstreams of nearly all humans. Health impacts associated with PFAS exposure include high cholesterol, weakened immune systems, reproductive issues, developmental problems in children, and an increased risk of certain cancers such as prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers.
The Coakley Landfill, located in Greenland and North Hampton, New Hampshire, has been a focal point of environmental concern for decades. It received industrial and municipal waste in the 1970s and ’80s and was later added to the National Priorities List in 1983 due to the presence of hazardous substances. In 2016, PFAS and 1,4-dioxane, a likely human carcinogen, were detected in groundwater and surface water at the site, prompting the establishment of a long-term monitoring program.
The most recent EPA toxicity evaluations for two types of PFAS—PFOA and PFOS—led to a recalibration of the site’s screening levels. This summer, concentrations of PFOA reached 318 nanograms per liter (ng/L), far exceeding the site-specific screening level of 0.25 ng/L. For PFOS, concentrations reached 795 ng/L, compared to a 10.1 ng/L screening level. Other PFAS compounds, such as PFDA and PFNA, were also above EPA thresholds.
The EPA’s risk assessment included exposure scenarios, estimating the potential impact on children engaging in recreational activities in the contaminated waters. “People bike through there, kids play in there,” noted Mindi Messmer, a scientist and former state representative, raising concerns about the lack of public awareness of the contamination. “I’ve literally watched kids in boots standing in water over there, throwing rocks into it, skipping rocks.”
While efforts to monitor contamination are ongoing, measures to address exposure risks are already in place. Several private wells in the area have been tested, with some exceeding state groundwater quality standards. The Coakley Landfill Group continues investigating surface water and groundwater interaction while increasing sampling to track contaminant migration.
Although the recent actions by the EPA represent progress in addressing contamination at the Coakley Landfill Superfund Site, challenges remain in safeguarding public health. The persistent nature of PFAS and the slow pace of environmental degradation mean that ongoing vigilance is necessary to protect communities from exposure.
“This represents a really concerning health risk, which is something we’ve been worried about for years,” added Messmer, underlining the importance of continued efforts to mitigate the contamination and prevent further harm.
