COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Testing shows that potentially harmful chemicals known as PFAS aren’t widely contaminating the more than 1,500 public drinking water systems in Ohio, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency announced Tuesday.
Those manmade chemicals, sometimes called “forever chemicals” because they persist in the environment, are used in products such as carpeting, cookware and firefighting foam, and have turned up in drinking water across the U.S. To better understand the prevalence in Ohio, the state tested water systems serving communities, schools, day cares and mobile home parks this year.
There was no sign of PFAS compounds in 94% of those, according to the Ohio EPA. It said 6% had low amounts of PFAS “well below the health advisory level” and will be monitored.
Two systems had elevated levels that prompted further action to ensure safe drinking water.
Bridgeport, along the Ohio River in far eastern Ohio, shut down a well that had higher levels of PFAS and is using other wells until a pipeline is finished to bring in water from the neighboring community of Martins Ferry, Ohio EPA spokeswoman Heidi Griesmer said.
The Aullwood Farm Discovery Center in Dayton is using bottled water while it evaluates possible solutions, Griesmer said.