New York environmental regulators are looking statewide for potential sites of groundwater contamination from a cancer-causing chemical previously used to make Teflon and other products.
The Department of Environmental Conservation sent formal surveys last week to more than 150 facilities that may have used PFOA. Surveys were also sent to scores of fire departments, airports and other facilities that may have used the related chemical PFOS in firefighting foam.
DEC's chief of staff tells The Associated Press the agency will analyze the survey data to determine the need for future site investigations. The surveys are due back by July 15.
The action follows discovery of PFOA in wells in Hoosick Falls and several other communities in eastern New York, Vermont and New Hampshire.
Vermont and New Hampshire launched statewide surveys this spring.
