Assemblyman Tim Eustace (D-Bergen/Passaic) issued the following statement Friday regarding data indicating that drinking water in some New Jersey municipalities contains high levels of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a chemical linked to cancer and thyroid disease:
“The old punch line is no laughing matter for New Jersey – there is indeed something in the water.
“PFOA is a chemical that has the potential to cause deadly illnesses. For the sake of everyone in New Jersey, it’s important that the Christie administration take seriously the risk this pollutant poses.
“The carbon filter treatment pilot project Fair Lawn launched in 2012 to treat the borough’s wells can be a valuable source of information about the best way for New Jersey to solve this problem. I urge the Department of Environmental Protection to issue its report regarding the efficacy of this system promptly. The faster we figure out what works, the faster we can take action to eliminate PFOA from our drinking water.
“New Jerseyans never should have to wonder whether their drinking water is safe for consumption. Our state must act now to add PFOA to its list of regulated drinking water contaminants. There can be no tolerance for delay when it comes to the health and wellness of New Jersey residents.”