Over the Summer, high levels of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), also known as “Forever Chemicals,” were found in 10 Harford County Schools, one of which was Fallston. This has led to all drinking water sources being closed until the school can control the toxic chemicals within the underground water source. Here are some facts you may want to know about these “Forever Chemicals” on the Fallston grounds.
-PFAS are man-made chemicals that are resistant to heat, water, and oil. They are most commonly found in household products, food packaging, industrial applications, and underground sources.
-There were four different types of PFAS found in the water at the schools; PFHxS, PFNA, PFOA, and PFOS.
-In the first sample of water from Fallston High School, the water contamination was 25 times over the EPA limit.
-Heavy exposure to these chemicals through the drinking water can cause reproductive harm, suppression of the immune system, reduce vaccine effectiveness, and increase risk to certain cancers, like kidney and testicular diseases.
-The three schools in Harford County that have the highest amounts of “Forever Chemicals” are Harford Academy, Prospect Mill Elementary School, and Fallston High School.
Just one week before fall sports started and one month before the new school year started, teachers and staff were notified of the chemicals in the water. Talking with Mr. Joseph Collins, Principal of Fallston High, he mentioned how his initial reaction to finding out about the water was “okay” because “you don’t really have a choice.” With fall sports starting up and needing to have water for practices, Harford County Public Schools had to think fast.
Water dispensers were the idea, but how long are they going to last? How long will we have them for?
Plans for fixing the water must be submitted to the Federal Government by 2027, and those plans will be processed and start to be executed by 2029. “Potentially we could be looking at these coolers out here for the next five years,” stated Mr. Collins.
As a final word from Mr. Collins, he wanted everyone to know that drinking Fallston’s water isn’t immediately life-threatening. “Even if someone drank the water, it’s not like they’re gonna fall over,” he explained, but he added that it is definitely not recommended, with the possible health risk it carries.
