Penn State will pay more than $564K after investigation into drinking water contaminated with ‘forever chemicals’

By Wyatt Massey | Spotlight PA | November 23, 2024

Read the full article by Wyatt Massey (Spotlight PA) 

"Penn State will pay more than $564,000 toward the ongoing cleanup of contaminated drinking water affecting dozens of homes near the university’s airport in Benner Township.

The action is the result of a proposed agreement the university signed earlier this month with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, following a roughly five-year state investigation into a group of hazardous chemicals called PFAS in local groundwater.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down naturally, were widely used in consumer and industrial products for decades starting in the mid-20th century, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to higher risks of some cancers, developmental delays in children, negative effects on the body’s immune system, and decreased fertility."

Location:

• North AmericaUS
• North AmericaUSPennsylvania

Topics:

• ChemicalsPFAS
• Environment
• Wildlife
• Affected community
• Health
• Measurement Techniques
• Monitoring Data