A group of environmentalists and lawmakers pressed the U.S. Navy to recognize new drinking water standards adopted in New York to handle the cleanup of contamination at a former defense manufacturing facility in Calverton, Long Island.
Tests of drinking water wells show significant levels of the man-made chemicals polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). In July, New York adopted strict new drinking water standards for PFAS and the emerging contaminant 1,4-Dioxane, a likely human carcinogen, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Adrienne Esposito is the executive director of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment. She said the state allows for 10 parts per trillion of PFAS. But the Navy continues to use the old standard of 70 parts per trillion.
“We will not accept these old standards, and we will not accept putting the public’s health at risk. The Navy is supposed to be an entity that protects us, protects us from harm,” Esposito said.
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York has also called on the Navy to expand its investigation of contaminants and to develop a plan to connect residents with public water.