A $5 million, five-year federal grant to continue work to study the health effects of exposure to PFAS contaminated drinking water in the Willow Grove area, including multiple wells on the former Willow Grove Naval Air Station and sites throughout Horsham Township, and on into Bucks County, was recently announced by the Department of Health.

PFAS substances, which were discovered in Horsham more than five years ago, were commonly used in applications including surface coating of paper and cardboard packaging products, carpets, non-stick pans and textiles, as well as firefighting foams. These substances have been detected in air, water and soil and around production manufacturing facilities as well as airports and military bases that use firefighting foams.

“This grant will expand our ongoing research efforts to determine the extent of residents’ exposure to PFAS in Bucks and Montgomery counties while contributing to a larger, national study to look at the health impacts of these chemicals,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “PFAS contamination is an emerging public health issue across Pennsylvania and the country. We hope that our work in this area will help those who have been affected by these chemicals.”

The grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) will allow the department to work with Research Triangle Institute International (RTI) and Temple University to further study the health effects of PFAS in Bucks and Montgomery counties.

To read more in the Bucks County Courier Times click here.