MassDEP reveals concerning PFAS contamination in Nantucket with high exceedance rates

The Nantucket Board of Health convened on April 17, 2025, to discuss critical updates regarding PFAS contamination on the island, focusing on data from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and ongoing community health initiatives.

The meeting began with a detailed presentation on MassDEP's source discovery investigation. The speaker reported that MassDEP has evaluated 86 properties, with PFAS detected in 63% of them. Alarmingly, 27% of these properties exceeded the Massachusetts maximum contaminant level for PFAS, and 10% surpassed the imminent hazard threshold of 90 parts per trillion. The highest concentration recorded was 787 parts per trillion on Toms Way, raising significant health concerns.

The discussion highlighted the challenges of data collection, noting that the lab's turnaround time for results could take up to six weeks, which has delayed the inclusion of some recent data in the Board of Health's reports. The speaker emphasized the importance of understanding the data at the parcel level, as multiple samples from the same property could skew the overall counts.

Subsequent updates included the introduction of a new PFAS well sampling fact sheet, which provides guidance for residents on how to address PFAS contamination. Key recommendations include reaching out to healthcare providers and considering treatment options even for PFAS levels below the state threshold of 20 parts per trillion. The fact sheet aims to clarify that no level of PFAS exposure is considered safe.

The Board also discussed the ongoing Fairgrounds investigation, where PFAS was detected in soil and groundwater samples. The findings indicated that while PFAS levels were concerning, there was no identifiable source at the surface, complicating remediation efforts.

In response to community concerns, Board members expressed the need for clearer communication regarding PFAS risks. One member raised the issue of the fact sheet potentially downplaying the dangers of low-level exposure, advocating for stronger language to inform residents that any detectable level of PFAS could pose health risks.

The meeting concluded with plans for enhanced communication strategies, including social media outreach and community meetings to educate residents about PFAS contamination and testing. The Board remains committed to transparency and proactive measures to address the ongoing public health challenge posed by PFAS on Nantucket.