FAQs

You asked, we answered!  

This list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) documents the answers for community questions about Nantucket’s Town-wide per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) assessment program activities and public health.  This information was updated March 25, 2021.

With the assistance of CDM Smith, the Town prepared a The PFAS Preliminary Assessment and Planning Approach Report, copy available here.  This report was revised on March 16, 2021 (original dated February 4, 2021) to address an error in Table 6-1 and now includes an errata sheet at the end of the report. A five-page fact sheet that summarizes the report can be found here. 

Our PFAS FAQs are organized as follows:

  1. 1. What are PFAS chemicals?
  2. 2. Where can PFAS be found?
  3. 3. Are there references that provide levels of PFAS measured in everyday products?
  4. 4. Why is Nantucket concerned about PFAS?
  5. 5. How can I help decrease PFAS pollution on the Island?
  6. 6. I live near the Airport. Where can I find information for the PFAS testing there?
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  1. 7. Are there public drinking water standards concerning PFAS?
  2. 8. Does MassDEP have a program to support private (domestic) well testing?
  3. 9. Does the aquifer that the Island gets groundwater from have PFAS in it?
  4. 10. Can I hook up to public water? If Yes, how?
  5. 11. Are septic systems or private wastewater treatment within a Zone II aquifer wellhead protection area regulated for PFAS? If so, how?
  6. 12. Who is available to perform PFAS Sampling & Testing?
  7. 13. Can PFAS drinking water or soil standards be applied to leachate or co-compost?
  8. 14. Are private (domestic) wells located below (downgradient of) the landfill impacted by PFAS?
  9. 15. Is there a plan to collect PFAS samples from the Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) and landfill site?
  10. 16. Did Waste Options perform PFAS testing at the landfill in the summer of 2019?
  11. 17. Even though 2019 PFAS testing was done with an imperfect method at the time (EPA 537), were the results found concerning?
  12. 18. Why did it take a year for PFAS testing to be discussed by BoH and for action to be taken?
  13. 19. Is there a plan to collect PFAS samples from the Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) and landfill site?
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  1. 20. What can residents, businesses, and visitors can do to prevent exposure to PFAS?
  2. 21. Should I stop growing and eating vegetables using co-compost that may have PFAS?
  3. 22. Can I water my plants and garden with PFAS-contaminated water and eat that produce?
  4. 23. How can I limit my exposure to PFAS in my garden?
  5. 24. What are the PFAS levels in fertilizer and other soil products coming onto the Island?
  6. 25. Waste Options Nantucket makes products for beneficial re-use. What are they?
  7. 26. Is it safe to shower using domestic well water that contains PFAS?
  8. 27. Is it safe for me to bathe my baby using domestic (private) well water that contains PFAS?
  9. 28. What can I do as a private well owner to remove PFAS from my water?
  10. 29. Am I at risk if I drink or drank water with PFAS above health standards?
  11. 30. Is there a way to test my or my family’s blood serum levels for PFAS?
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  1. 31. Is there Glossary and List of Acronyms that are commonly used in PFAS?
  2. 32. Are there scientific studies where I may find additional information?
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