Groups claim ‘alarming levels’ of ‘forever chemicals’ found in Brunswick

TIMES RECORD • January 10, 2022

Three groups claim say they found “alarming levels” of PFAS – also known as “forever chemicals” – in water at two Brunswick locations, a wastewater treatment outfall into the Androscoggin River and a creek neighboring the former naval air station. Results reported by the local groups showed total PFAS concentrations of 183.1 parts per trillion in the wastewater treatment outfall and 1661.2 parts per trillion for the creek. Although not an apples-to-apples comparison to surface water, the Maine DEP denotes six PFAS compounds to be limited to 20 parts per trillion. Maine DEP Project Manager Iver McLeod said that while the results should not be dismissed, the Cyclopure testing kit does not align with state standards.