Hazardous chemicals linked to cancer and other illnesses have been found near three Vermont landfills.
Vermont Public Radio reportsthe chemicals PFOA and PFOS have been found in groundwater near landfills in Bennington, Shaftsbury and Halifax. The hazardous chemicals were once used in manufacturing. PFOA has been found in private wells in Bennington and the municipal water supply in Pownal.
A former Chemfab plant in North Bennington is the suspected site of the contamination. Vermont's Department of Environmental Conservation has started testing landfills that may have accepted waste from the plant.
Groundwater near a Bennington landfill is testing far above Vermont's safe water limit.
Environmental officials say they've not yet discovered residential well contamination linked to the landfills.
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