The Vermont Health Department says blood tests of 477 people in the Bennington area exposed to the chemical PFOA found an average level that is almost five times the national average.
The samples were taken from individuals whose water wells were contaminated with the chemical or those who formerly worked at the now-closed Chemfab site in North Bennington.
The results ranged from 0.3 micrograms per liter to 1,125.6, with an average of 10. PFOA is found in most Americans and the national average is 2.1.
The results cannot determine if a person's will suffer health problems in the future or if a current health condition was caused by the chemical.
PFOA was used in the manufacture of nonstick coatings. It has been linked to cancer and other illnesses.
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