Eastern Professor leads effort
Chad Pritchard demonstrates testing water samples for their pH balance.
CHENEY - Recent revelations about PFAS contamination in Spokane County have sparked growing concerns among residents and authorities alike.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have been linked to various health disorders, including cancer, prompting calls for action and heightened awareness.
The issue first came to light due to the use of PFAS in the 1970s, initially believed to be non-toxic. However, suspicions about its toxicity arose later, leading to increased scrutiny.
Chad Pritchard, a hydrogeology expert at Eastern Washington University, highlighted the evolving understanding of PFAS, stating, "It was used in the '70s, they said it was not toxic, but people suspect that they actually did know it was toxic."
Pritchard's research efforts received a boost from a $450,000 Department of Ecology grant in September.
The grant was initially intended for Spokane County. However, county commissioners declined the offer, prompting collaboration with Medical Lake to secure the funding.
The grant is earmarked for the development of a comprehensive 3D groundwater model and extensive sampling initiatives, Pritchard said.
Despite financial constraints leading to adjustments in staffing, Pritchard remains committed to research objectives outlined in the grant, marking a step forward in understanding and addressing PFAS contamination in the region.
A study conducted by the American Geological Association in 2016 and 2017 sampled soil, revealing PFAS contamination. By 2017, Airway Heights was identified as a site with PFAS presence.
The contamination primarily affects local groundwater, posing significant health risks to residents who rely on wells for drinking water. Studies have linked PFAS exposure to birth defects, liver problems, and cancer, raising alarms among affected communities.
Challenges in mapping the extent of PFAS contamination have emerged, including property devaluation upon contamination discovery and the difficulty of controlling private wells.
"Hydrogeology ... ultimately controls where water goes," Pritchard said. "What's happening is through our old rocks. We have so little understanding of that old rock."
This has led to the formation of the West Plains Water Coalition to address the issue and promote community involvement.
"The whole thing has started the West Plains Water Coalition – state representatives, senators, a lot of the time they're not aware," Pritchard said.
Despite community efforts, response from authorities has been mixed.
While Medical Lake Mayor Terri Cooper and Airway Heights' Sonny Weathers have shown cooperation, Spokane International Airport was aware of contamination but failed to report it, raising questions about accountability, he said.
Policy recommendations include filtering groundwater before it leaves affected areas and promoting National Science Foundation-rated filters for residents. State agencies like the Department of Ecology and the EPA are actively involved in discussions and solutions.
Residents may contact the Department of Ecology for groundwater sampling and to invest in NSF-rated filters to mitigate risks associated with PFAS contamination.
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
Reader Comments(0)