1. Community Organizing Around an Emerging Contaminant
PFOA and other PFASs:
Community Organizing Around an Emerging Contaminant
Testing for Pease, Andrea Amico, Alayna Davis & Michelle Dalton
The Silent Spring Institute, Laurel Schaider
NEU Social Science Environmental Health Institute, Phil Brown and Lauren Richter

2. The PFC Contamination at Pease: A Community Perspective
Local Environmental Action Conference | March 13, 2016 Andrea Amico, Alayna Davis, Michelle Dalton
The PFC Contamination at Pease: A Community Perspective

3. An Introduction to TFP & the Pease Tradeport
Who is Testing
Testing for Pease?
Why Did
We Form?
History of the Pease
Air Force Base
History of the Pease
Tradeport

4. Who is Testing for Pease?
Testing for Pease is a community action group, whose mission is to be a reliable resource for education and communication while advocating for a long-term health plan on behalf of those impacted by the PFC water contamination at the former Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth, NH
From left to right: Alayna, Michelle, & Andrea

5. An Introduction to TFP & the Pease Tradeport
Who is
Testing for Pease?
Why Did
We Form?
History of the Pease
Air Force Base
History of the Pease
Tradeport

6. Why Did We Form?
In May 2014, a local newspaper article revealed that PFC contamination (PFOS & PFOA) was discovered in the three wells supplying water to the Pease Tradeport (former Pease Air Force Base).
One well tested over the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) PHA (Provisional Health Advisory)
As community members, we were concerned as we work/worked for companies on Pease and have/had children attending the daycares on Pease. All of our families were exposed to contaminated public drinking water at Pease.

7. An Introduction to TFP & the Pease Tradeport
Who is
Testing for Pease?
Why Did
We Form?
History of the Pease
Air Force Base
History of the Pease
Tradeport

8. History of the Pease Air Force Base
1956 to 1991 Strategic Air Command (SAC) Base
4,365 acres of land with 3 on site wells (Haven, Smith, & Harrison)
In 1989 there were 3,461 active-duty military, 741 civil service workers, and 347 non-appropriated fund employees employed (~4500 total employees on Pease)
In 1990 military personnel began leaving the base
In 1991 Pease AFB closed and became the first base in the nation to be closed under the Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC)

9. History of the Pease Air Force Base
In 1991 Pease became a superfund site
What is a superfund site?
A Superfund site is any land in the US that has been contaminated by hazardous waste and identified by the EPA as a candidate for clean up because it poses a risk to human health and/or the environment.
Pease has 41 hazardous waste sites identified
Per NH DES, all previous remedial actions required by the Superfund were implemented by 1997

10. An Introduction to TFP & the Pease Tradeport
Who is
Testing for Pease?
Why Did
We Form?
History of the Pease
Air Force Base
History of the Pease
Tradeport

11. History of the Pease Tradeport
Pease Tradeport developed in 1991
Currently home to ~ 250 businesses and still growing
2 large daycare centers
Restaurants
Healthcare establishments
Multiple colleges
Golf course
9,525 people employed and on Pease daily
Portsmouth International Airport (PSM) currently in operation

12. History of the Pease Tradeport
Pease Tradeport water is supplied by three wells on Pease:
Haven well
Smith well
Harrison well
Haven well is estimated to have supplied 46% of water to the Pease businesses

13. Testing for Pease: Past, Present, & Future
Pease PFC
Contamination
Why Are We
Concerned?
Community
Accomplishments
What is in
Our Future

14. Pease PFC Contamination
In April of 2014, the Air Force tested for PFCs in the three wells at the Pease Tradeport.
All three wells tested positive for PFCs in the water.
The Haven well tested over the EPA PHA for PFOS and just below the EPA PHA for PFOA

15. Pease PFC Contamination
The Haven well was shut down immediately on May 12, 2014.
The Smith & Harrison wells remain open to this day and continue to supply water to the Pease Tradeport despite having low levels of PFCs in the water.
The Air Force continues to sample the wells weekly, monthly, and quarterly to monitor PFC levels and track for migration on the contaminants.

16. How was Pease Contaminated with PFCs?
Pease water became contaminated by a fire fighting foam known as AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam)
Used by the Air Force since the 1970’s
21 areas identified where AFFF was used, stored, or released on Pease
Effective in putting out petroleum based fires
Department of Defense (DoD) continues to use AFFF today

17. As of 2014, 664 fire or crash training sites identified by the Dept of Defense where AFFF laced with PFCs was used in the US

18. Testing for Pease: Past, Present, & Future
Pease PFC
Contamination
Why Are We
Concerned?
Community
Accomplishments
What is in
Our Future

19. Why are we Concerned?
In 2009, PFOS & PFOA were classified by the EPA as emerging contaminants
PFCs are fully fluorinated compounds that are man made substances not naturally found in the environment
PFCs bioaccumulate in the body and persist in the environment
99% of Americans have some detectable levels of PFCs in their blood as they are used in many common consumer products
Fast food packaging (i.e. microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes)
Nonstick cookware (i.e. Teflon)
Water repellant clothing
Stain resistant carpeting or furniture
Fire fighting foams

20. Why are we Concerned?
PFCs have long half lives in the body (half life is how long it would take for half of the chemical to be eliminated from the body assuming no additional exposure)

21. Why are we Concerned?
Federal health agency ATSDR (Agency For Toxic Substances and Disease Registry) lists health effects associated with PFC exposure in humans
Developmental delays in the fetus and child, including possible changes in growth, learning, and behavior
Decreased fertility and changes to the body’s natural hormones
Increased cholesterol
Changes to the immune system
Increased uric acid levels
Changes in liver enzymes
Prostate, kidney, and testicular cancer

22. Testing for Pease: Past, Present, & Future
Pease PFC
Contamination
Why Are We
Concerned?
Community
Accomplishments
What is in
Our Future

23. Community Accomplishments
May 2014 – Andrea Amico starts advocating to NH DHHS (Department of Health & Human Services) for blood testing for her family
May 2014 to Oct 2014 – NH DHHS communicates with Andrea stating they are working to establish a blood testing protocol
Oct 2014 – Jan 2015 – NH DHHS ignores Andrea’s s and phone calls to get updates on status of blood testing
Jan 2015 – Andrea contacts the Portsmouth Herald and a front page story runs about her frustrations

24. Community Accomplishments
Jan 2015
Jan 20 - Andrea starts an online petition requesting the blood testing protocol and a long term health plan be put in place for the community
Jan 20 - Andrea starts a community Facebook page - Testing for Pease - to keep the community informed
Jan 21 - NH Governor writes a letter to ATSDR requesting NH DHHS blood testing protocol be approved
Jan 23 - City of Portsmouth Mayor writes a letter to the Governor of NH expressing dissatisfaction in the time NH DHHS has taken to develop a plan.

25. Community Accomplishments
Mar 2015
Mar 16 - NH DHHS presents the blood testing protocol to the Portsmouth city council and reveals plan to only test 100 community members
Community is outraged and advocates to NH Governor to expand the testing protocol to ANYONE exposed to water on Pease
Mar 18 - US Senator Jeanne Shaheen requests the Air Force assists with the cost of blood testing at Pease

26. Community Accomplishments
Apr 2015
NH DHHS releases a revised protocol that includes ANYONE exposed to contaminated water prior to May 2014
First round of blood testing opens
Portsmouth Mayor forms the Community Advisory Board (CAB) to better improve the communication between DHHS and the community

27. Community Accomplishments
June 2015
Jun 12 – first round of blood tests closed and a total of 471 community members gave blood
Jun 17 - NH DHHS presents the first 98 adult blood test results in a community meeting and Pease results are elevated when compared to national averages

28. Community Accomplishments
July 2015
CAB advocates for additional round of blood testing as more community members show interest in obtaining blood testing after learning of elevated results in first round of testing
EPA orders the Air Force to clean up the Haven well and design a contingency treatment plan for the Smith & Harrison wells
Aug 2015
CAB meets with the US Air Force for the first time
Advocate for treatment of all three wells
Inquire about health effects
US Air Force refers to ATSDR
NH DHHS opens second round of blood testing to community members

29. Community Accomplishments
Sep 2015
Sept 9 - NH DHHS presents pediatric blood test results from the first round of testing
108 pediatric participants under the age 12
Sept 25 - US Air Force agrees to treat all 3 wells at Pease

30. Community Accomplishments
Oct 2015
CAB meets with ATSDR to discuss their role in assisting communities with environmental exposures and recommendations from a health perspective
ATSDR is first government agency to acknowledge health effects associated with PFC exposure
ATSDR recommends forming a CAP (Community Assistance Panel) to move forward with the agency in developing a long term health plan
ATSDR discusses possibility of Pease being part of a larger study with other DoD bases around the nation.
Second round of blood testing closes and an additional 1107 community members give blood samples

31. Community Accomplishments
Nov 2015
Air Force recruits for a RAB (Restoration Advisory Board) to focus on the environmental clean up efforts and restoration of the aquifer at Pease
Dec 2015
Dec 1 – CAB holds final meeting to summarize accomplishments and recommendations to the outgoing Portsmouth Mayor and City Council
Dec 28 – CAB chairman presents final CAB recommendations to outgoing Portsmouth Mayor and City Council recommending a CAP be formed in conjunction with ATSDR to move forward with long term health plan

32. Community Accomplishments
Feb 2016
Feb 9 – New Portsmouth mayor writes a letter to ATSDR recommending 5 former CAB members for new CAP
Feb 10 – Air Force signs financial agreement with ATSDR to fund the Pease CAP and a feasibility assessment
Feb 16 – ATSDR presents CAP role and recruitment plans to Portsmouth City Council
Mar 2016
CAP recruitment ends/ members selected
Air Force agrees to US Senator Kelly Ayotte to clean up the wells and fund a long term health study at Pease

33. Testing for Pease: Past, Present, & Future
Pease PFC
Contamination
Why Are We
Concerned?
Community
Accomplishments
What is in
Our Future

34. What is in Our Future? Continued advocacy for:
Lowering the PHA for PFCs
Adding other PFCs to emerging contaminants list (i.e. PFHxS)
Specific health recommendations for exposed community to be proactive in monitoring health
Continued community education and communication on emerging research around PFCs and health effects
Ongoing bio-monitoring to track/monitor exposed population over time to assess for trends in health effects
Establish a health fund for exposed community members that experience adverse health effects as a result of PFC contamination
Combined large study with other DoD sites facing PFC contamination

35. What is in Our Future?
Building a strong community group through Testing for Pease to give the community more power in future decisions
Frequent social media updates on Facebook and Twitter to keep the community informed
Maintain a comprehensive website consolidating complex info as primary community resource of information
Hold community meetings to provide education and gather input from the community
Maintain strong relationships with key political players, local & federal government agencies, and the media

36. What is in Our Future?
CAP with ATSDR to address community questions and concerns to design a long term plan and health study of current and prior exposed community members (community and former military members)
RAB with Air Force to focus on clean up of the wells and environmental restoration of the aquifer

37. Conclusion

38. Conclusion
PFC contamination discovered at Pease in May 2014 through contaminated drinking water
Contamination source is AFFF used when Pease was an active Air Force Base and AFFF continues to be used by DoD today
Community blood test results from the first round reveal elevated PFC levels in Pease population when compared to national averages

39. Conclusion
Many accomplishments made since May 2014 when PFCs were identified at Pease
2 rounds of blood testing for community members (~1575 community members participated)
Air Force agreed to treat ALL three wells on Pease
Ongoing planning with ATSDR for a long term health study at Pease
Possibility of Pease being combined with other DoD sites for a larger study
Increased awareness of PFCs in the environment and our community
Relationships formed with government officials assisting with advocacy and political pressure to get more action

40. Conclusion
Barriers:
No current health recommendations to healthcare providers on how to be proactive in monitoring for health effects
New Hampshire has not lowered their PHA for PFOS or PFOA as seen in other neighboring states
Health effects are downplayed by NH DHHS and community feels they are minimizing concerns
Communication to the community is inconsistent as many different businesses on Pease and some more willing to inform their employees

41. Thank You for Listening
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
For more information, please visit:
facebook.com/TestingforPease