December 2024
Dec 5, 2024 - City of Portsmouth Safe Water Advisory Group (SWAG) Meeting 6:30-8:30pm | Agenda | Video
December 11, 2024 - Pease Restoration Advisory Board (RAB ) Meeting at 5-8pm | Agenda | Flyer | Video
November 2024
November 18, 2024 - Andrea Amico is an author in a peer reviewed paper published on the community perspective of PFAS contamination at Pease based on the work of the PFAS REACH Study. The article titled “REACHing for PFAS solutions: how two communities responded to drinking water contamination” | Peer Reviewed Paper
November 19, 2024 - DoD hosts “DoD PFAS MCL Policy Information and Listening Session | Video & Slides
September 2024
September 3, 2024 - DoD issues a policy on “Prioritization of Department of Defense Cleanup Actions to Implement the Federal Drinking Water Standards for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Under the Defense Environmental Restoration Program” | Policy
September 10, 2024 - City of Portsmouth Safe Water Advisory Group (SWAG) meeting 6-8pm | Agenda | Video
September 16, 2024 - Pease Community Assistance Panel (CAP) virtual meeting with ATSDR from 6-8pm EST | Flyer
August 2024
August 6, 2024 - Pease Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meeting at Newington Town Hall 5-8pm. Meeting is in person or via zoom | Agenda | Flyer | Zoom link | Video
August 6, 2024 - Senator Shaheen announces multiple new PFAS legislation | Press Release
August 14, 2024 - JAMA article publishes: Clinical Implications of New Drinking Water Regulation for “Forever Chemicals” | Article
August 15, 2024 - Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases Prioritizing PFAS: The next government-wide plan to tackle ‘forever chemicals’
July 2024
July 2, 2024 - Seacoast Online publishes an article summarizing 10 years since the PFAS contamination was found at Pease featuring Andrea Amico | Article
July 16, 2024 - NH state law passed requiring people selling homes to notify buyers of the possibility of water contamination from PFAS chemicals | Article
July 17, 2024 - KEEN shoe company writes a letter re: their stance on being PFAS free and encouraging other businesses to follow their lead | KEEN letter
July 25, 2024 - Andrea Amico writes a letter to the editor at the Union Leader supporting Congressman Chris Pappas for Congress | LTE
July 25, 2024 - Senator Shaheen announces she secured $890k to build PFAS analysis capacity at the University of NH | Press Release
June 2024
June10-12, 2024 | 4th National PFAS Conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Andrea Amico moderated a panel on PFAS policy | National PFAS Conference website
June 28, 2024 - City of Portsmouth Safe Water Advisory Group (SWAG) Meeting | Agenda | Meeting Video
May 2024
May 23, 2024 - Congressman Chris Pappas sends letter to the Air Force asking if they will comply with EPA’s new drinking water standards in private and municipal wells around Pease | Letter
April 2024
April 9, 2024 - Air For Pease RAB Meeting - Site 8 Visit at 5pm and meeting at 6pm at Newington Town Hall | Flyer | Agenda | AF presentation | USGS presentation | Amico presentation | Pre recorded presentation | Video
April 10, 2024 - US EPA finalizes first ever federal drinking water standards from some PFAS | EPA press release | EPA website | Andrea Amico’s statement | News article | NHPR Article
April 16, 2024 - The White House features Testing for Pease’s statement on the EPA drinking water standard announcement | White House website
April 19, 2024 - EPA designates PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances | Andrea Amico’s statement | Article
March 2024
March 21, 2024 - City of Portsmouth Safe Water Advisory Group (SWAG) meeting 6:30-8:30pm | Agenda
February 2024
February 1, 2024 - NH DES hosts a hybrid community meeting at Newington Town Hall (and via Microsoft Teams) on PFAS Research in Great Bay | Flyer | Register | Video
February 7, 2024 - EPA reveals more evidence of widespread ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water | EWG Press Release
February 8, 2024 - NH DES hosts a hybrid community meeting at Newington Town Hall (and via Microsoft Teams) on PFAS Research in Our Homes & Yards | Flyer | Register | Video
February 16, 2024 - Scientists Statement on defining PFAS | Letter
January 2024
January 1, 2024 - PFAS REACH Children’s Health Study expands age criteria to enroll older children (ages 11-15) into the study | Flyer | Enroll in the Study
January 5, 2024 - The US Air Force’s Pease Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) is seeking 2 new community members to serve on the RAB | Press Release | Application
January 12, 22024 - ATSDR/CDC release Pease Study Exposure Report (first part of the Pease Health Study results) | Pease Study Report | Article | Senator Shaheen Press Release
January 30, 2024 - ATSDR/CDC hosts a hybrid community meeting to review Pease Study Report results and updated PFAS Information for Clinicians. Meeting is at Portsmouth Community Campus at 6pm or virtual via zoom | Meeting Flyer | Register for Zoom | Video | Slides
December 2023
December 13, 2023 - City of Portsmouth Safe Water Advisory Group (SWAG) Meeting 6:30-8:30pm | Agenda | Video
November 2023
November 1, 2023 - Pease Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meeting 4:30-8:30 at NH DES office on Pease | Register | Flyer | Agenda | Pre-Recorded Video | Meeting Video | Slide deck #1 | Slide deck #2| Slide deck #3
November 2, 2023 - Senator Shaheen takes the lead to send a letter to DoD Secretary Lloyd Austin to identify the resources and funding necessary to accelerate testing and remediation for PFAS in fiscal year (FY) 2025 | Letter | Senator Shaheen Press Release
November 12, 2023 - Andrea Amico presents at the American Public Health Association (APHA) annual conference in Atlanta, Georgia on a PFAS panel titled “PFAS Contamination: Community Perspectives”
November 15, 2023 - Workshop for free Private Well Testing Initiative in Seacoast Towns | Flyer
November 16, 2023 - Senator Shaheen sends a letter to DoD’s Secretary Brendan Owens requesting more information be shared with community members re: PFAS and chicken eggs | Letter
October 2023
September 2023
September 20, 2023 - City of Portsmouth Safe Water Advisory Group (SWAG) Meeting 6:30-8:30pm | Video
August 2023
August 4, 2023 - DoD launches a community engagement questionnaire to gather input from impacted communities on how they engage with DoD | Link to questionnaire
August 16th, 2023 - Testing for Pease mentioned in NY Times in depth article on PFAS | Article
August 17, 2023 - NH DES hosts a second technical listening session for stakeholders to provide input on the proposed draft Soil Remediation Standards (SRS) for the 4 PFAS | Register to attend
August 30, 2023 - DoD agrees to data transparency when sharing information with community members and state regulators | Article | Senator Shaheen press release | DoD Policy
July 2023
July 11, 2023 - Shaheen introduces Legislation to Increase Community Engagement and Transparency re: DoD PFAS related activities | Press Release
July 17, 2023 - Statement on the Department’s PFAS Cleanup Progress by the Honorable Brendan Owens Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations & Environment |Statement
July 20, 2023 - The Air Force hosts a Pease RAB workshop at Newington Town Hall from 5-8pm | Flyer
June 2023
June 2023 - NH DHHS issues PFAS Guidance for Clinicians | Factsheet
June 1, 2023 - NH DHHS release revised PFAS Guidance for New Hampshire Clinicians |Fact Sheet
June 7, 2023 - SWAG Meeting | Meeting Video
June 11, 2023 - Burned Documentary viewing on PFAS and firefighter event at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA, featuring PFAS advocates Diane and Paul Cotter webiste | Watch Film
May 2023
May 3, 2023 - Pease RAB meeting at NH DES office on Pease and via zoom | Register | Flyer | Agenda | Slides | Video presentation
May 4, 2023 - US EPA is holding a public hearing on PFAS Drinking Water Regulations from 11am to 7pm | Register
April 2023
April 1, 2023 - Keen PFAS Paper | Read Paper
April 11, 2023 - The US EPA held a Region 1 (New England) Community Engagement session on PFAS impacted communities | Website
April 19, 2023 - Senator Shaheen questions top DoD officials about PFAS at a Senate Armed Services Hearing | Video (time stamp 55:36)
March 2023
March 7, 2023 - SWAG Meeting 6:30pm-8:30pm at Portsmouth City Hall Conference Room A | More Info | Meeting Video | Meeting Agenda
March 14, 2023 - EPA Drinking Water Standards | TFP Statement | EPA Press Release
March 14, 2023 - Pease RAB Member Application Process Extended | Application | RAB Operating Procedures
March 21, 2023 - NHPR article "How new federal PFAS proposals would affect New Hampshire" featuring Andrea Amico | Article
March 22, 2023 - NH Supreme Court rules against medical monitoring for people exposed to toxins | NHPR Article | NH Supreme Court Ruling
March 24, 2023 - Andrea Amico featured in Portsmouth Herald article "EPA's new PFAS standards for clean water cheered for saving lives. Costs expected to rise." | Article
February 2023
February 13, 2023 Senator Shaheen Urges Biden Administration to Prioritize Efforts to Combat PFAS Contamination | Letter | Press Release
February 15, 2023 - Andrea Amico participates in a Community Connectors panel discussion on local heroes | Video | Podcast
February 22, 2023 - NHPR Article "Tracing the path of toxic ‘forever chemicals’ inside the body" | Article
February 23, 2023 - NHPR Article "PFAS expert tips: How to reduce your exposure to harmful ‘forever chemicals’" | Article
February 24, 2023 - Andrea Amico co-authors a journal article on PFAS Activism: Persistent chemicals, persistent activism: scientific opportunity structures and social movement organizing on contamination by per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances | Article
January 2023
January 11, 2023 - Testing for Pease PFAS Studies Updates Webinar | Register | Flyer | Video | Slides
January 24, 2023 - Pease Restoration Advisory Board Meeting | Register | Presentation | Agenda | Slides | Video
December 2022
December 5, 2022 - “Op-ed: Arming doctors with knowledge about PFAS pollution” | Article
December 7, 2022 - Safe Water Advisory Group (SWAG) Meeting | Agenda | Video
December 20, 2022 - “3M to Exit PFAS Manufacturing by the End of 2025” |Article
December 20, 2022 - “3M Still Liable Despite PFAS Market Exit, Attorneys Say” | Article
November 2022
November 1, 2022 - ATSDR sends letter to Pease Study participants asking for permission to share their initial PFAS blood test results | Letter
November 16, 2022 - ATSDR launches PFAS Blood Level Estimation Tool | Website
November 30, 2022 - Pease Restoration Advisory Board looking for new members | Application
October 2022
October 21, 2022 - “Shaheen Helps Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Support Farmers Affected by PFAS” | Press Release
October 22, 2022 - “Nonstick Nuisance Medical Monitoring for PFAS” Webinar on monitoring your health after PFAS exposure | Video
September 2022
September 13, 2022 - “Report outlines health effects of PFAS chemicals in children, provides recommendations for testing” | Article
September 16, 2022 - “Shaheen touts effort to designate some PFAS chemicals as hazardous” | Article
September 16, 2022 - “EPA official calls designating PFAS as hazardous substances 'huge step'“ | Article
September 16, 2022 - “Shaheen, EPA Administrator Cash Discuss Federal Action Underway to Designate PFAS Contamination Hazardous, Ramp up Mitigation Efforts” | Article
September 16, 2022 - Shaheen writes letter of concern to Department of Defense | Read Letter
September 22, 2022 - ATSDR Final Report: Findings Across Ten Exposure Assessment (EA) Sites | Website
September 29, 2022 - Pease CAP Meeting 5:30-8:00pm | Agenda | Flyer | Recording
August 2022
August 26, 2022 - EPA Proposes Designating Certain PFAS Chemicals as Hazardous Substances Under Superfund to Protect People’s Health | More Info
August 30, 2022 - SWAG Meeting 6:30pm-8:30pm at Portsmouth City Hall | Video | More Info
July 2022
July 13, 2022 - Office of Science and Technology Policy puts out request for the identification of data gaps in PFAS Research | More Info
July 13, 2022 -”Shaheen, Peters & Moran Announce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen, Expand Federal Research on PFAS Contamination” | Read Article
July 15, 2022 - “EPA warns that even tiny amounts of chemicals found in drinking water pose risks” | Article
July 20, 2022 - ATSDR Pease Study Clinician Information Webinar | Register | More Info
July 26, 2022 - “PFAS Research in Great Bay: an Educational Webinar” | Recording | Flyer
July 26, 2022 - “Daily Exposure to ‘Forever Chemicals’ Costs United States Billions in Health Costs” | Read Article
July 27, 2022 - Testing for Pease signs letter to President Biden on designating PFAS as hazardous substances | Letter
July 28, 2022 - NASEM Webinar: “Guidance on PFAS Exposure, Testing, and Clinical Follow-Up Report Public Briefing” | More Info | Report | Press Release
June 2022
June 15, 2022 - “EPA Announces New Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFAS Chemicals, $1 Billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding to Strengthen Health Protections” | Article
June 15-17, 2022 - 3rd National PFAS Conference in Wilmington, NC | Website | Presentations
May 2022
May 3, 2022 - Community Drinking Water Forum from 6pm-8pm | More info | Video
May 17, 2022 - Pease RAB hybrid meeting from 5:30pm-8pm | Register | Agenda | Video | Slides
April 2022
April 5, 2022 - EPA meeting on “Environmental Justice Considerations for Development of Proposed PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR)” from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM | Register
April 12, 2022 - Andrea Amico on “What Mama Wants” Podcast |Listen
April 20, 2022 - Safe Water Advisory Group Meeting (SWAG) from 6:30-8:30pm | Agenda | Register
March 2022
March 2, 2022 - EPA meeting on “Environmental Justice Considerations for Development of Proposed PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR)” | Additional Info
March 3, 2022 - U.S. House of Representatives votes to pass the PACT Act, creating a registry of individuals exposed to PFAS on military installations.
March 28, 2022 - Registration open for the Third National PFAS Conference in Wilmington, NC | Register
Feb 2022
February 2, 2022 - 33 Senators, including NH Senator Jeanne Shaheen, sent a letter to President Biden in support of government-wide efforts to prevent and respond to PFAS | Letter
February 16, 2022 - ATSDR Pease CAP ***Virtual*** Meeting at 6pm | Flyer | Video | Additional Info
February 23, 2022 - City of Portsmouth Safe Water Advisory Group (SWAG) meeting | Agenda | Video
February 24, 2022 - ATSDR releases final Health Consultation report, “Exposure to per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in private residential drinking water wells in communities located within 1 mile of the Pease International Tradeport” in New Hampshire. | Report | Fact Sheet
February 28, 2022 - Pease Restoration Advisory Board ***Virtual*** Meeting at 6pm | Video | Agenda | Slides
Jan 2022
January 1, 2022 - US Air Force is accepting applications for local community members to join the Pease RAB | Public Notice | RAB Website | Application
January 1, 2022 - State of New Hampshire requires that PFAS blood testing be covered by major medical insurance | FAQ Page
January 21, 2022 - Third National PFAS Conference Announced for June 15-17 in Wilmington, NC | Event Website
January 22, 2022 - Senator Hassan Pushes Defense Department to Strengthen Engagement with Communities Impacted by PFAS Following Testimony from NH Leader | Letter
Dec 2021
December 4, 2021 - Marched in Portsmouth Holiday Parade | Photos
December 6, 2021 - “Portsmouth City Council votes unanimously to do independent testing of the new artificial turf installed earlier this year” | Video | Article
December 7, 2021 - Pease RAB virtual meeting with the US Air Force 6-9pm | Slides
December 9, 2021 - Andrea Amico testifies on PFAS water contamination at the U.S. Senate | Video | Article #1 | Article #2 | Article #3
December 10, 2021 - “PFAS health study in Portsmouth ending soon” | Article
December 15, 2021 - ATSDR Releases Community Engagement Playbook describing its four phases of community engagement | Playbook Link
December 20, 2021 - Andrea Amico and Brian Goetz present to the Portsmouth City Council an end of year update for the City of Portsmouth Safe Water Advisory Group (SWAG) | Video
December 21, 2021 - Senator Shaheen writes letter to U.S. Department of Defense regarding lack of protective measures taken to limit PFAS exposure and an underutilization of the data collected through the PFAS blood testing program for DoD firefighters. | Letter
Nov 2021
November 15, 2021 - President Biden signs Infrastructure Bill allocating $10 Billion for PFAS | Article
November 17, 2021 - Portsmouth Council hosts a work session on PFAS in Artificial Turf | Video
November 23, 2021 - City of Portsmouth Safe Water Advisory Group (SWAG) meeting | Agenda | Video
Oct 2021
Sep 2021
September 1, 2021 - City of Portsmouth Safe Water Advisory Group (SWAG) hybrid meeting (in person at Portsmouth City Hall or virtual by zoom) 6:30-8:00pm | Register | Agenda | Video
September 14, 2021 - Pease RAB ***Virtual*** Meeting with the US Air Force from 5-8pm EST | Flyer | Register | Video
September 22, 2021 - Testing for Pease hosts a virtual lunch and learn for Pease community to provide education on two PFAS health studies that are actively recruiting Pease community members from 12-12:45pm| Register | Flyer | Video
September 28, 2021 - ATSDR Pease CAP ***Virtual*** Meeting to discuss CDC Pease Study at 6pm | Flyer | Agenda | Video
Aug 2021
August 3, 2021 - Haven well at Pease re-activated for drinking water after being offline for 7 years due to PFAS contamination at the Pease Tradeport | Article | City of Portsmouth information
August 4, 2021 - Senator Shaheen speaks on the Senate floor and mentions PFAS at Pease, Testing for Pease, and Andrea Amico in her remarks | Video
August 13, 2021 - Senator Shaheen successful in getting $10 billion dollars allocated for PFAS in historic bipartisan Infrastructure bill | Press Release
Jul 2021
July 12, 2021 - EPA Identifies Drinking Water Contaminants for Potential Regulation | Press Release
July 21, 2021 - House Passes Bipartisan PFAS Action Act with Key Pappas Provisions | Article | Video
July 23, 2021 - PFAS health study gets $15 million secured by Shaheen | Article
Jun 2021
June 9, 2021 - Pease Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) ***virtual*** meeting from 4-6pm | Flyer | Register | Agenda | Presentation | Video
June 10, 2021 - The City of Portsmouth Safe Water Advisory Group meets virtually from 6:30-8:30pm | Agenda | Video
June 18, 2021 - In Depth NH: Portsmouth Activist Andrea Amico Talks PFAS With Roger Wood | Article
May 2021
May 4, 2021 - Pease drinking water plant ceremony with Asst Secretary of the AF and the NH Congressional Delegation | Article | News Coverage.
May 5, 2021 - ATSDR releases the final Toxicological Profile (Tox Profile) for Perfluoroalkyls (PFAS)
May 11, 2021 - Fourth/final round of tap samples taken for the Testing For Pease Portsmouth PFAS Tap Sampling Program | Results | Summary
May 12, 2021 - ATSDR Pease CAP meeting (virtual) from 6-8pm | Flyer | Register | Agenda | Video
May 17, 2021 - Air Force hosts a ***virtual*** public information session of the Pease Remedial Investigation | Flyer | Factsheet | Slides |Register
May 19, 2021 - Dartmouth Hitchcock releases PFAS in New Hampshire Factsheet | Factsheet
Apr 2021
April 6, 2021 - The City of Portsmouth Safe Water Advisory Group meets virtually from 6:30-8:30pm | Agenda | Video
April 13, 2021 - Groundbreaking studies on 'forever chemicals' ramping up | News Segment
April 14, 2021 - Pappas’s Bipartisan PFAS Legislation Praised by Local Advocates | Press Release
April 14, 2021 - The Intercept: Indoor Dust Contains PFAS and Other Toxic Chemicals | Article
April 18, 2021 - Shaheen, Rounds Reintroduce Bill to Help Service Members & Their Families Exposed to PFAS Contamination | Press Release
April 20, 2021 - PFAS-Tox Database goes live | Website
April 20, 2021 - Shaheen Raises PFAS Contamination in Hearing with Biden Admin Officials on American Jobs Plan | Video
April 21, 2021 - Pease study in Portsmouth seeking participants | Article# 1 | Article# 2
April 29, 2021 - Shaheen Delivers Remarks on her Amendment to Address PFAS in Drinking Water Infrastructure Bill | Video
Mar 2021
March 9, 2021 - Andrea Amico speaks on a panel coordinated by EWG: Toxic Forever Chemicals in Defense Communities | Video
March 10, 2021 - Pease Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) ***virtual*** meeting from 4-6pm | Register | Flyer | Agenda | Video
March 31, 2021 - Consumer Reports: How Safe Is Our Drinking Water? | Article
Feb 2021
February 2, 2021 - City of Portsmouth Safe Water Advisory Group (SWAG) meeting from 6:30-8:00pm | Agenda | Video
February 2, 2021 - CDC/ATSDR release a Pease Study recruitment video | Video
February 4, 2021 - The National Academies of Science, Engineering, & Medicine hosted their first meeting on Guidance on PFAS Testing and Health Outcomes | Video of Meeting 1
February 8, 2021 - ATSDR Pease CAP Virtual Meeting via Zoom from 6-9pm EST | Flyer | Agenda | Video
February 11, 2021 - Environmental Working Group (EWG) blog “Will the Pentagon Continue To Flout State Standards for ‘Forever Chemicals’? features Pease and DoD not complying with state MCLs.
Jan 2021
January 11, 2021 - Communities poisoned by ‘forever’ chemicals release new video calling on President-Elect Biden to act | Videos
January 23, 2021 - Clean water advocate urges Biden, EPA to focus on PFAS chemicals | Article
January 28, 2021 - Andrea Amico presents at the Institute for Journalism and Natural Resources (IJNR) PFAS Workshop
January 30, 2021 - Pentagon needs ‘culture change’ on pollution, say PFAS caucus members | Article
Dec 2020
December 2, 2020 - Air Force Pease RAB Meeting (***virtual meeting/online only***) 4-6pm | Flyer | Agenda | Video
December 7, 2020 - The Intercept: PFAS CHEMICAL ASSOCIATED WITH SEVERE COVID-19 | Article
December 8, 2020 - News Center Maine: EPA makes a move to monitor 'forever chemicals' in wastewater | News Segment
December 11, 2020 - Risk of PFAS Sabotaging Covid Vaccines’ Promise Spurs Study | Article
December 15, 2020 - First meeting of the City of Portsmouth Safe Water Advisory Group (SWAG) | Agenda | Video | Website | Slides
December 17, 2020 - The Guardian: Opinion by Rob Billot - The poison found in everyone, even unborn babies – and who is responsible for it | Article
December 18, 2020 - News Center Maine: Can 'forever chemicals' make Covid-19 vaccines less effective? | News Segment
December 22, 2020 - Shaheen secures $15 million more for PFAS health study | Article
December 22, 2020 - Spending Bill Provides Nearly $300 Million To Address ‘Forever Chemicals’ | Article
December 28, 2020 - Erin Brockovich Blasts U.S. Regulation of Toxic Chemicals | Article
Nov 2020
November 2020 - Consumer Reports Magazine: Your Guide to Safer Drinking Water | Report
November 4, 2020 - NH Governor Sununu writes letter to UDS Air Force asking for reimbursement in absence of AF providing clean water to homes in Newington | Letter | Article
November 10, 2020 - US EPA responds to Pease RAB community letter sent on 10/7/2020 | Letter
November 12, 2020 - ATSDR releases “Pease Condensed Historical Reconstruction Report” dated 8/20/2020| Report
November 17, 2020 - Guardian article: “Covid: chemicals found in everyday products could hinder vaccine” | Article
November 23, 2020 - Agricultural water contaminated with “forever chemicals” could taint produce, Colorado study finds | Article
Oct 2020
October 7, 2020 - Pease RAB community members send letter to the US EPA re: their authority to order the Air Force to provide clean water to private wells in Newington with PFAS levels above the NH state MCLs | Letter
October 15, 2020 - CDC Pease PFAS Health Study officially re-opens after being paused in mid March due to COVID-19. Media event held at the Pease Study office and Senator Shaheen attended the event to promote the study re-opening. To enroll in the CDC PFAS Pease Health Study, please call 603-846-6192 | Article 1 | Article 2 | News Segment 1 | News Segment 2 | News Segment 3
October 21, 2020 - Assistant Secretary of the Air Force responds to the NH Congressional Delegation letter sent to the Air Force on 9/22/2020 requesting the AF comply with NH MCLs for PFAS and provide clean water to private well owners in Newington. The Air Force will not comply with NH state standards and will continue to follow US EPA’s LHA | Air Force letter
October 23, 2020 - Andrea Amico is part of a PFAS Roundtable discussion hosted by EWG and featuring actor Mark Ruffalo and NH Congressman Chris Pappas | Video
October 26-27, 2020 - Workshop on Federal Government Human Health PFAS Research (2-Day Virtual Workshop | October 26-27, 2020 | Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology) | Watch Workshop
Sep 2020
September 2, 2020 - Air Force responds to NH DES request on 8/20/2020 and will not provide bottled water to private well owners in Newington w/PFAS exceeding NH PFAS MCLs | Letter
September 11, 2020 - Shaheen Leads Call to Senate Appropriators to Prioritize Funding & Policy Initiatives to Combat PFAS Exposure in FY 21 Government Funding Legislation | Letter | Press Release
September 18, 2020 - Pease RAB members send letter to AIr Force, NH DES, and US EPA Region 1 requesting clean water be provided to Newington homes with PFAS levels exceeding NH DES PFAS MCLs | Letter | Article
September 21, 2020 - TFP presents the PFAS Community Perspective to UNH Engineering students for the 5th year in a row.
September 21, 2020 - ATSDR Pease CAP (Virtual) Meeting | Flyer | Agenda | Zoom Info | Video
September 22, 2020 - Andrea Amico speaks on a discussion panel with Attorney Rob Billot re: the PFAS Film Dark Waters in an event sponsored by the NH Sierra Club
September 22, 2020 - NH Congressional Delegation writes letter to Air Force requesting they comply with NH DES PFAS MCLs by taking action now to provide a clean, safe source of water for 5 homes in Newington with PFAS above the NH DES PFAS MCLs | Letter
September 25, 2020 - CDC Director Robert Redfield responds to Senator Shaheen’s letter re: Covid 19 and PFAS | Letter
Aug 2020
August 5, 2020 - Air Force Pease RAB Meeting (***virtual meeting/online only***) | Flyer | Agenda | Slides | Video | Article
August 6, 2020 - Andrea Amico is featured in a campaign ad for Senator Jeanne Shaheen titled “Senator Shaheen Makes a Difference for NH Families Impacted by PFAS Contamination” | Video
August 20, 2020 - NH DES writes letter to Air Force asking them to comply with NH DES PFAS MCLs and provide bottled water to private homes in Newington, NH | Letter
July 2020
July 1, 2020 - Scientific Basis for Managing PFAS as a Chemical Class | Scientific Paper
July 2, 2020 - Senator Shaheen questions CDC Director Dr Robert Redfield on PFAS & COVID-19 | Video
July 6, 2020 - Testing for Pease contributes to op ed on PFAS and COVID-19: Op-ed: PFAS chemicals—the other immune system threat
July 20, 2020 - Third round of tap samples taken for the Testing For Pease Portsmouth PFAS Tap Sampling Program | Results | Summary
July 21, 2020 - Senator Shaheen Boosts Funding for PFAS Health Impact Study to $15M in FY21 NDAA, Highest Funding Level Ever to Continue Study She Established | Press Release | Article | Video of Senator Shaheen’s remarks on Senate floor
July 23, 2020 - NH law sets tough PFAS limits in drinking water | Article
July 24, 2020 - Senator Shaheen-Rounds Introduce New Legislation to Invest in PFAS Health Impact and Best Practices Education for Physicians | Bill | Press Release | Article | TFP Reaction
Jun 2020
June 2, 2020 - NH Senate panel backs tightening of PFAS limits | Article
June 17, 2020 - Pease RAB meeting from 6-9pm ***cancelled*** Air Force re-schedule a remote meeting instead for August 4, 2020 from 4-6pm.
June 23, 2020 - ATSDR Pease CAP meeting (remote via zoom) | Flyer | Agenda | Zoom info | Video
June 26, 2020 - Intercept Article: SCIENTISTS PIN BLAME FOR SOME CORONAVIRUS DEATHS ON AIR POLLUTION, PFAS, AND OTHER CHEMICALS
June 26, 2020 - Senator Shaheen and 18 others US Senators send letter to HHS secretary re: PFAS & COVID-19 | Letter | Article
June 30, 2020 - NH House passes PFAS MCLs | Article
June 30, 2020 - Scientific Basis for Managing PFAS as a Chemical Class | Paper | Press Conference
May 2020
May 2, 2020 - Environmental groups file brief in landmark PFAS case in NH | Article
May 9, 2020 - Shaheen, Hassan Secure NH Priorities in Bipartisan Water Infrastructure Bill to Address Mitigation Efforts at Hampton & Portsmouth Harbors | Press Release
Apr 2020
April 6, 2020 - Pease PFAS health study halted amid pandemic | Article |ATSDR website
April 13, 2020 - Human Health Risk Assessment of Fish Consumption and Detected PFAS at Squam Lake | Report
April 29, 2020 - Op-ed in The Guardian on PFAS and Covid-19 | Article
April 30, 2020 - ATSDR releases their Public Health Consultation on the PFAS in Pease Private Residential Drinking Water Wells | Report | ATSDR site
Mar 2020
March 18, 2020 - Pease RAB meeting from 6-9pm ***cancelled due to COVID-19***|Cancellation Notice
March 20, 2020 - ATSDR Pease Public Health Consultation document finalized and made public | Document
March 24, 2020 - ATSDR Pease CAP meeting on Pease ***changed to conference call d/t COVID-19*** | Flyer | Agenda | Transcript
Feb 2020
February 4, 2020 - ATSDR hosts community meeting on Pease with Child Life Specialist for parents to address questions and concerns re: their child(ren) participation in the study | Flyer | Video
February 5, 2020 - ATSDR hosts drop in hours with the Child Life Specialist at the Pease Study office for parents
February 7, 2020 - PFAS Deer data from Pease per the NH Fish & Game | Data | NH Fish & Game Website
February 10, 2020 - City of Portsmouth Pease Tradeport Water Supply Update
February 14, 2020 - Shaheen, Gillibrand Lead Group of 30 Senators Calling on EPA to Deliver on Promises Made in PFAS Action Plan | Letter
February 19, 2020 - No Defense documentary premieres in Ann Arbor Michigan | Article
February 20, 2020 - From PBB to PFAS: Research and Action to Address Michigan’s Large-Scale Chemical Contaminations | Video
Jan 2020
January 10, 2020 - Letter sent to DoD by several community groups re: NDAA violations | Letter
January 29, 2020 - Meeting on Pease for Air National Guard study on cancer mortality| News segment | Study flyer | Video
January 12, 2020 - NH DES statewide PFAS sampling data | Exceedances Spreadsheet
January 23, 2020 - Second round of tap samples taken for the Testing For Pease Portsmouth PFAS Tap Sampling Program | Results
January 31, 2020 - Pease RAB monthly newsletter | Newsletter
Dec 2019
December 5, 2019 - Pease RAB Meeting, 5-8pm at the NH DES Office on Pease | Agenda | Video (part 1) | Video (part 2)
December 5, 2019 - Dr Chris Higgins from Colorado School of Mines presents Pease Non Target Analysis Project data, 8-9pm at the NH DES office on Pease | Flyer | Video
December 6, 2019 - First round of tap samples taken from the City of Portsmouth on 10/25/2019 results received from BV labs | tap sample test results | Tap Sample Project Overview
December 9, 2019 - NDAA includes multiple PFAS provisions with some provisions left out | Senator Shaheen Press Release
December 13, 2019 - Testing for Pease, EWG, & NH Safe Water Alliance host a showing of the PFAS movie Dark Waters in Newington, NH | Dark Waters Movie Trailer
December 16, 2019 - Senator Shaheen secures an additional $10 million for national PFAS health study and funding to study personal protective equipment (PPE) | Press Release
Nov 2019
November 6, 2019 - CDC responds to Senator Shaheen’s letter re: medical monitoring |Letter
November 19, 2019 - Andrea Amico presents at the CDC Grand Rounds event on PFAS in Atlanta | Save the Date | Video
November 22, 2019 - Pease RAB monthly newsletter from the US Air Force | Newsletter
Oct 2019
October 11, 2019 - NH DHHS sends consent letter to Pease community blood testing participants | Letter
October 24, 2019 - CDC Pease Health Study Info Meeting | Flyer | Factsheet | Video
October 25, 2019 - First round of samples collected for the Testing For Pease Portsmouth PFAS Tap Sampling Program | Results
October 28, 2019 - Testing for Pease presents to UNH Engineering students for the fourth year in a row on the community perspective of PFAS contamination.
October 28, 2019 - City of Portsmouth: PEASE TRADEPORT WATER SUPPLY UPDATE
October 30, 2019 - US Air Pease RAB Update | Newsletter
Sept 2019
September 5, 2019 - ATSDR Pease CAP meeting | Agenda | Video (part 1) (part 2)
September 12, 2019 - Andrea Amico speaks on a Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce event.
September 13, 2019 - Andrea Amico selected as a TEDx speaker at the Portsmouth Music Hall | Event Info | TEDx Talk
September 18, 2019 - Pease RAB meeting | Flyer | Agenda | Slides | Video (part 1) (part 2)
September 18, 2019 - Senator Shaheen sends letter to CDC advocating for medical monitoring | Letter
Aug 2019
August 2, 2019 - Andrea Amico appears on WSCA Public Radio: Hosted by The Environmental Hour WSCA 106.1 FM
August 30, 2019 - Andrea Amico, Lindsey Carmichael, and Dr Loretta Fernandez (from Northeastern University) meet with City of Portsmouth DPW staff to discuss the Testing For Pease Portsmouth PFAS Tap Sampling Program | Project Overview
Jul 2019
July 2, 2019 - Pappas And Kuster Introduce Legislation To Decrease PFAS Contamination And Hold Polluters Accountable | Article
July 8, 2019 - Great Bay Shellfish Test Results Raise Concerns About PFAS | Article
July 11, 2019 - Shaheen & Hassan Urge EPA on PFAS Pollution | Article
July 12, 2019 - Some bottled water tested for elevated levels of PFAS | Article | Article | Article
July 13, 2019 - US Senator Elizabeth Warren Op Ed: “No more excuses – Granite Staters deserve real action to combat PFAS” | Article
July 18, 2019 - NH DES 4 MCLs are accepted by the JLCAR | Article | TV coverage | NHPR
July 19, 2019 - Portsmouth Water System PFAS Update after NH DES MCLs accepted | Update
July 23, 2019 - Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Energy, John Henderson, visits Pease for Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Pease AIMS plant | Article | Article | TV coverage
July 24, 2019 - New Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper, announces DoD PFAS Task Force | Article | Article | DoD Memo
July 24, 2019 - Committee on Oversight & Reform Congressional hearing: “The Devil They Knew – PFAS Contamination and the Need for Corporate Accountability” | Video
July 24, 2019 - NH DES issues press release quoting NH DES Commissioner saying PFAS should be regulated as a class | Press Release
July 26, 2019 - News Center Maine Coverage: Pease moms still in the dark about kids' exposure to PFAS
July 30, 2019 - 22 Attorney Generals nationwide sign a letter “Urging Congress To Act On Toxic ‘Forever' Chemicals" | Letter
Jun 2019
June 1, 2019 - Andrea Amico speaks on a panel re: PFAS at the Piscataqua Riverfest put on by the Gundalow Company
June 2, 2019 - ATSDR Pease CAP Meeting on Pease at the NH DES office from 6:30-9:30 pm | Flyer | Agenda | Video (part 1) | Video (part 2) | Article
June 10, 11, 12, 2019 - 2nd National PFAS Conference at Northeastern University | Conference
June 18, 2019 - Intercept: Teflon Toxin Safety Level Should Be 700 Times Lower Than Current EPA Guideline | Article
June 26, 2019 - Air Force Pease RAB meeting on Pease at the NH DES office from 6:00-8:30 pm | Agenda | Slides | Video
June 28, 2019 - NH DES releases much lower proposed MCLs for 4 PFAS | Article
May 2019
May 1, 2019 - Shaheen, Portman reintroduce bill on PFAS health effects | Article
May 7, 2019 - New study claims 43 states expose millions to dangerous chemical in drinking water | News Segment
May 10, 2019 - Senators’ bill looks to address PFAS at military bases | Article
May 16, 2019 - Air Force puts out a monthly newsletter for the Pease RAB | Newsletter
May 16, 2019 - Air Force creates an Overview of the Air Force BRAC Environmental Restoration Program | Slides
May 22, 2019 - US Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works hearing on PFAS: Examining Legislation to Address the Risks Associated with Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) | Video
May 25, 2019 - Amico still fighting against threat of PFAS | Article
May 29, 2019 - NH sues 3M, DuPont, 6 other companies over PFAS contamination | Article
May 30, 2019 - Pease group files suit against PFAS manufacturers | Article
April 2019
April 1, 2019 - ATSDR releases their Public Health Consultation on PFAS in the Pease Tradeport Public Water System | Report | Fact Sheet | Press Release
April 4, 2019 - Lawmakers file bill to treat vets exposed to PFAS | Article
April 4, 2019 - Shaheen Presses Secretary Wilson on KC-46 Delivery to Pease and Toxic Chemical Impact on Guardsmen | Video
April 18, 2019 - Air Force puts out a monthly newsletter for the Pease RAB | Newsletter
Mar 2019
March 7, 2019 - Air Force Pease RAB meeting on Pease at the NH DES office from 6:30-9:30 pm |Flyer | Agenda | Slides
March 12, 2019 - NH DES hosts public comment session on their proposed MCLs for 4 PFAS | Meeting Info | Article
Feb 2019
February 1, 2019 - Senators Shaheen (NH) and Capito (WV) Lead Bipartisan Letter Calling on EPA to Set Federal Drinking Water Standards for PFOA and PFOS | Letter | Press release
February 5, 2019 - Andrea Amico and other PFAS community leaders meet with high level EPA officials in DC | Article
February 5, 2019 - Andrea Amico attends the State of the Union address in DC as Senator Shaheen’s guest | Article
February 6, 2019 - Andrea Amico and other PFAS community leaders meet with Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Environment in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Maureen Sullivan) at the Pentagon.
February 7, 2019 - ATSDR Pease CAP meeting on Pease at NH DES office on Pease from 6-9pm | Flyer| Agenda| Video
February 14, 2019 - US EPA releases their PFAS Action Plan | EPA PFAS Action Plan | Video
February 15, 2109 - US EPA writes letter to Senator Shaheen in response to the letter sent 2/1/19 stating EPA “intends” to establish MCLs for PFOA & PFOS | Letter | Press Release
February 21, 2019 - ATSDR announces the 8 DoD sites that will be in their exposure assessments | Press Release
Jan 2019
January 2, 2019 - NH DES Proposes New PFAS Drinking Water Standards | Press Release | Article | Article
January 4, 2019 - NH DES Report on PFAS MCL/AGQS Development | Press Release | Report
January 8, 2019 - Analysis of existing state and federal guidelines shows discrepancies in recommended safe levels of toxic contaminants PFOA and PFOS in drinking water
January 10, 2019 - NH DES declines the petition to regulate PFAS as a class | Letter | Article
January 12, 2019 - Andrea Amico is a panel member after the showing of the documentary “The Devil We Know” shown at the Seacoast Environmental Film Festival | Flyer
January 15, 2019 - CLF: Tackling Toxic Chemicals in New Hampshire’s Drinking Water
January 15, 2019 - NH DES hosts office hours on Pease to discuss their NH DES Report on PFAS MCL/AGQS Development and releases a document explaining their MCL levels | NH DES Document on 4 MCLs
January 16, 2019 - Mass DEP hosts public meeting on the CLF petition sent to them in October | Video
January 17, 2019 - Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler testifies at Senate confirmation hearing (and is briefly asked about the EPA PFAS Management Plan) | Article
January 29, 2019 - Senator Shaheen invites Andrea Amico to be her guest at the State of the Union address in DC on Feb 5, 2019 | Article | Press Release
Dec 2018
December 7, 2018 - Air National Guard on Pease hosts a listening session for ANG members and their health concerns | Article
December 7, 2018 - Michigan PFAS Science Advisory Panel releases report titled: “Scientific Evidence and Recommendations for Managing PFAS Contamination in Michigan” | Report
December 13, 2018 - Senator Shaheen and 22 other members of the US Senate send a letter to CDC & ATSDR advocating for firefighters to be studied | Letter
December 18, 2018 - State of NY Drinking Water Quality Council recommend 10 ppt for PFOS & 10 ppt for PFOA | Press Release
December 19, 2018 - Conservative Law Foundation in addition to multiple NH community groups sign a petition to NH DES to regulate PFAS as a class | Petition | Article | Article
Nov 2018
November 7, 2018 - EPA & US Senator Jeanne Shaheen present Andrea Amico with the Citizen Excellence in Community Involvement Award
November 8, 2018 - EPA Awards More Than $27 Million to New Hampshire to Support Local Clean Water Projects | Press Release
November 9, 2018 - Testing for Pease participates on a panel on PFAS to share the community perspective at a NH Medical Society Annual Event. US Senator Jeanne Shaheen also attends and speaks at the event later in the evening | Article
November 9, 2018 - Portsmouth Herald editorial: “Thumbs up to Andrea Amico, Testing for Pease activists”
November 13, 2018 - PFAS Reach team hosts information session at Great Bay Kids Company on Pease | Article | FAQ
November 14, 2018 - PFAS Reach team hosts information session at Great Bay Kids Company on Pease | Article | FAQ
November 14, 2018 - EPA seeks public input on draft toxicity assessments for PFAS chemicals (Gen X & PFBS) | Press Release
November 19, 2018 - EPA’s Dr Peter Grevatt announces his retirement | Article
November 21, 2018 - EPA releases new tools to test and treat additional PFAS, including GenX, in drinking water | Press Release
November 30, 2018 - NH Congressional Delegation sends letter to DoD & VA requesting assistance looking into high rates of cancers at Pease | Letter
Oct 2018
October 1, 2018 - Andrea Amico receives a 2018 National Notable Achievement Awards award from EPA Region 1 Administrator for “Citizen Excellence in Community Involvement Award”
October 1, 2018 - Testing for Pease presents the Pease Non Target Analysis Project to the Portsmouth City Council | Video | Slides
October 1, 2018 - City of Portsmouth (Brian Goetz) presents Pease Tradeport Water System Update to Portsmouth City Council | Video | Slides
October 3, 2018 - Senator Shaheen introduces legislation to the FAA reauthorization bill that sets a deadline of three years to phase out the mandatory use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams for commercial aircraft manufacturers or our nation’s airports | Press Release | Article
October 4, 2018 - Silent Spring Institute announces their awarding of a federal grant to study immune function in children at Pease | Press Release | Article
October 5, 2018 - Testing for Pease presents their community story to UNH Engineering students for the third year in a row
October 7, 2048 - Portsmouth Herald article: Amico ‘a true hero’ in fight against PFAS
October 10, 2018 - Pease RAB Meeting on Pease, 6:30-8:30pm, Great Bay Community College Room 122, 320 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, NH 03801| Agenda
October 15, 2018 - Save the date for the next National PFAS conference at Northeastern University on June 10-11, 2019 | Save the Date
October 18, 2018 - NH DES hosts “Stakeholder and Technical Work Sessions on Setting Public Drinking Water Standards for PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, & PFHxS” | Meeting Notice | Slides
October 26, 2018 - ATSDR Pease Proof of Concept (Docket No. ATSDR-2018-0008) public comments are due | Federal Registrar | Submit Public Comments Online
Sept 2018
September 6, 2018 - The Subcommittee on Environment held a hearing today in DC entitled, “Perfluorinated Chemicals in the Environment: An Update on the Response to Contamination and Challenges Presented.” | Video
September 20, 2018 - ATSDR in Person Pease CAP Meeting at NH DES Office on Pease from 6-9pm | Flyer | Agenda | Video
September 26, 2018 - Andrea Amico testifies at US Senate Subcommittee hearing: The Federal Role in the Toxic PFAS Chemical Crisis (Andrea’s verbal testimony starts around 1:45:30) | Video | Written Statement
Aug 2018
August 1, 2018 - US EPA Administrator Wheeler speaks at The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works hearing titled, “Examining EPA’s Agenda: Protecting the Environment and Allowing America’s Economy to Grow.” | Video
Jul 2018
July 1, 2018 - Editorial by NH DES Commissioner, Robert Scott, on PFAS in NH | Addressing PFAS threat to our drinking water
July 4, 2018 - Letter to Editor re: Testing for Pease efforts | Letter
July 10, 2018 - State of Vermont issues PFAS Health Advisory Update that includes 5 PFAS (PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFNA, PFHpA) in their 20 ppt Vermont Health Advisory for Drinking Water
July 12, 2018 - US Senators Maggie Hassan & Jeanne Shaheen send a letter to US EPA Administrator Wheeler asking for action re: PFAS | Letter | Article
July 20, 2018 - NH DHHS issues Letter to Health Care Providers | Letter
July 25, 2018 - EPA Mid Atlantic (Region 3) have their Regional PFAS Meeting | Article
July 27, 2018 - Dr Laurel Schaider from Silent Spring Institute and Pease CAP technical advisory writes a blog for the Union of Concerned Scientists | Federal Health Study on Drinking Water Contaminants Calls into Question Safety of Nation’s Drinking Water Supply
July 27, 2018 - US Senator Jeanne Shaheen tours the Site 8 treatment facility at Pease | Article | News Center Maine Segment | NHPR Segment
July 30, 2018 - City of Portsmouth Pease Water Supply Update | Report
Jun 2018
June 1, 2018 - Andrea Amico sends follow up letter to EPA Adminstrators Scott Pruitt & Alexandra Dunn | Letter
June 1, 2018 - EPA Science Advisory Board presentation on PFAS | EPA Presentation
June 3, 2018 - TFP founders & Lindsey Carmichael (Pease CAP member & Portsmouth resident) send letter to ATSDR & HHS directors demanding release of the ATSDR report on PFAS | Letter
June 5 & 6, 2018 - Board of Scientific Counselors, National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (BSC, NCEH/ ATSDR) | Meeting Notice
June 8, 2018 - Multiple US Senators send letter to EPA & HHS directors requesting release of ATSDR study | Letter
June 25 & 26, 2018 - EPA New England (Region 1) will host the first Regional PFAS workshop at Exeter High School. June 25, 2018 meeting time = 4:30pm to 10pm & June 26, 2018 meeting time = 8am to 3pm | EPA Meeting Notice | Agenda | Video
June 26, 2018 - California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment writes memo recommending CA use interim notification levels for PFOA & PFOS based on data and recommendations from New Jersey | Memo
June 27, 2018 - Pease RAB meeting on Pease, 6:30-8:30pm, NH DES Office on Pease | Agenda
June 27, 2018 - NH DHHS closes the PFAS Blood Testing Program | Website Notice
June 29, 2018 - US Senators Maggie Hassan & Jeanne Shaheen write a letter to the EPA urging them to take action | Letter | Article
May 2018
May 8, 2018 - Andrea Amico and other community leaders from Massachusetts meet with EPA Region 1 Administrator Alexandra Dunn and her team at the EPA Office in Boston to discuss the National EPA PFAS Summit scheduled for May 23 & 23 in DC | Letter given to Dunn at the meeting
May 10, 2018 - ATSDR announces that Pease will be the first community to be part of the mult site PFAS study | Article
May 10, 2018 - ATSDR Pease CAP meeting on Pease, 6-9pm, NH DES Office on Pease | Flyer | Agenda | Video
May 14, 2018 - Politico Article titled "White House, EPA headed off chemical pollution study" stating EPA blocking ATSDR study that would recommend lower PFAS levels to protect public health | Article
May 14, 2018 - NH Congressional Delegation sends letter to EPA demanding they release the ATSDR study ASAP | Letter | Article
May 21, 2018 - EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt sends letter to Michigan Congressman Dan Kildee stating he does not have the authority to release the ATSDR study | Letter
May 22 & 23, 2018 - EPA Hosts a National Leadership PFAS Summit in Washington DC | Agenda ***Andrea Amico attends day 1 of the summit and has a personal meeting with EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt | Article# 1 | Article # 2 ***
May 31, 2018 - Andrea Amico & Alayna Davis of Testing for Pease speak on Portsmouth Community Radio WSCA to discuss Andrea's recent trip to the EPA Summit in DC, the ATSDR health study, and more.
Apr 2018
April 5, 2018 - Members from the Pease RAB & Pease CAP meet with Assistant Secretary of the Air Force John Henderson and US Senator Jeanne Shaheen to discuss the contamination remediation efforts at Pease and the PFAS health study funded by DoD | Article
April 13, 2018 - 25 US Senators send a letter to the EPA requesting "they "expeditiously declare an MCL for all PFAS" | Letter
April 16, 2018 - Andrea Amico & Lindsey Carmichael speak at a public hearing at the Portsmouth City Council advocating that the city appropriate funds to filter Portsmouth schools (drinking & cooking) water | Video
April 24, 2018 - US Senator Jeanne Shaheen questions the Secretary of the Air Force about the PFAS study | Article | Video
Mar 2018
March 5, 2018 - Deputy Director of DPW, Brian Goetz, presents update to Portsmouth City Council | Video | Slides
March 6, 2018 - NH Governor Chris Sununu sends letter to ATSDR advocating Pease be in the national health study | Letter
March 13, 2018 - PFASs/Teflon Documents from Sharon Lerner (The Intercept) | Documents
March 14, 2018 - US Air Force Pease RAB meeting at GBCC at 6:30 pm | Flyer | Agenda
March 19, 2018 - TFP participate in a round table discussion with the Portsmouth City Council on filtering water at Portsmouth public schools and non target analysis | TFP Slides | Video | City Slides
March 20, 2018 - NBC 10 Boston News Coverage | Some in Portsmouth, NH Raise Concerns About Drinking Water
March 21, 2018 - US Senator Jeanne Shaheen is successful in getting $7 million dollars appropriated for a mult site health study on PFASs | Press Release
March 22, 2018 - Andrea Amico participates in Portsmouth Community Radio WSCA radio discussion on World Water Day | Radio Interview
Feb 2018
February 20, 2018 - 3M settles groundwater lawsuit for $850 million | Article
February 20, 2018 - News Center Maine (Portland): Kids Drinking Toxic Water? These Moms Have Had Enough | News Segment
Jan 2018
Janaury 11, 2018 - In person ATSDR CAP meeting on Pease | Flyer | Agenda | Video
January 18, 2018 - NH Congressional Delegation writes a letter to ATSDR & DoD advocating Pease being in health studies | Letter | Article
January 18, 2018- US Senator Jeanne Shaheen questions Air Force official candidate, Colonel Henderson, on PFC health study (time stamp 1:01:15) | Video
Dec 2017
December 1, 2017 -TFP members presenting the Pease community story at the Root Skills Conference in Manchester, NH | Root Skills Conference
December 12, 2017 - NDAA signed into law by President Trump today | Article
December 15, 2017 - Updated NHANES data released on pediatric PFAS levels | Article
December 20, 2017 - Air Force recruits additional community members for the Pease RAB | Application
December 22, 2017 - EPA responds to City of Portsmouth Mayor Blalock's letter requesting additional testing at Pease | Letter
Nov 2017
November 7, 2017 - City of Portsmouth releases two updates on Pease | Portsmouth Water System PFC Sampling Update | Pease Tradeport Water Supply Update
November 8, 2017 - TFP will be presenting on a national PFAS webinar/call titled: The Social and Scientific Discovery of a Class of Emerging Contaminants: Per- and Polyfluorinated Chemicals |Podcast & Slides
November 8, 2017 - Senator Shaheen announces her final Senate- and House-negotiated defense authorization bill that includes her bipartisan amendment to pay for the first-ever study on the health effects of PFC exposure in drinking water | Article
November 9, 2017 - Members from TFP meet with Portsmouth city officials to discuss PFAS levels in the city supplied drinking water and to discuss additional PFAS water sampling opportunities at Pease.
November 13, 2017 - ATSDR releases the final version of the Pease Feasibility Assessment
November 14, 2017 - NDAA passes the House | Amendment pertaining to National PFAS Health Study
November 14, 2017 - Proposal for coordinated health research in PFAS-contaminated communities in the United States published in Environmental Health | Scientists Letter
November 14, 2017 - NH State Rep Mindi Messmer announces run for Congress | NHPR Article
November 16, 2017 - NDAA passes the Senate | Amendment pertaining to National PFAS Health Study
November 22, 2017 - The Intell publishes an article titled: Records: Military knew of firefighting foam hazards in 1995
November 29. 2017 - City of Portsmouth Mayor, Jack Blalock, writes letter to EPA asking for technical assistance testing in testing for additional PFASs in Pease water (beyond the 23 PFASs currently being tested for) | Letter
Oct 2017
October 24, 2017 - Air Force RAB meeting on Pease | Agenda | Slides | Summary
October 9, 2017 - TFP members send email to City of Portsmouth Officials, Mayor, and City Council requesting an in person meeting to discuss Portsmouth water supply
Sept 2017
September 1, 2017 - TFP launches national letter writing campaign to federal officials requesting National PFC/PFAS Health Study support campaign launches | Letter Writing Campaign
September 5, 2017 - Attorney Rob Billot writes letter to ATSDR re: Request for Coordinated Nationwide PFAS Health Study And Testing And Notice of Intent to Sue | Letter
September 6, 2017 - Pediatric Cancer Cluster Task Force. TFP leaders advocate for medical monitoring | Article | Video
September 18, 2017 - The 2018 National Defense Authorization Act that passed the U.S. Senate | Article
September 20, 2017 - TFP Andrea Amico interviews with Veterans Radio | Radio Interview
September 25, 2017 - Members from TFP met with NH DHHS to discuss the community's need for medical monitoring
September 25,2017 - Members from TFP presented the Pease community story to UNH Engineering students
September 26, 2017 - Air Force, NH DES, & EPA meet with Newington Residents to discuss water concerns | Flyer
Aug 2017
August 14, 2017 - NJ DEP to regulate carcinogenic chemicals in drinking water | News Segment
August 14, 2017 - Testing for Pease is featured in a documentary called Troubled Waters: Military bases' contamination will affect water for generations | Pease Video
August 15, 2017 - Harvard, University of Rhode Island researchers to study chemical contamination of US waters | Article
August 20, 2017 - Andrea Amico writes a letter to the editor supporting medical monitoring for the Pease community | Letter
August 22, 2017 - Testing for Pease is featured on the Center for Public Integrity website: Military bases' contamination will affect water for generations
August 24, 2017 - NH Delegation Calls for Community Update on Water Contamination | Letter | Press Release
August 24, 2017 - Multiple state health department leaders send letter to CDC requesting national PFC health study | Letter
August 28, 2017 - ATSDR Pease CAP meeting at NH DES office on Pease from 6pm to 9pm | Flyer | Agenda | Video Part 1 | Video Part 2 | Transcript
August 30, 2017 - Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter visits Pease and Coakley Landfill to discuss contamination issues | Article
August 31, 2017 - Multiple US Senators send a letter to the Appropriations Committee advocating for funding for national PFC health study | Letter
Jul 2017
July 5, 2017 - TFP sends letter to NH DHHS commissioner requesting Pease PFAS blood samples be saved | Letter
July 6, 2017 - TFP co founder Andrea Amico is interviewed with NH State Rep Mindi Messmer on Portsmouth Community Radio.
July 12, 2017 - Deadline for the CAP to submit written comments on the feasibility assessment to ATSDR. Please email us at info@testingforpease.com with your feedback to share with ATSDR.
July 21, 2017 - Air Force Press Release: Air Force continues attack on PFOS/PFOA issues at Pease
July 26, 2017 - Air Force RAB meeting on Pease from 6:30-9pm at Great Bay Community College | Flyer | Agenda | Slides
July 27, 2017 - House Adopts Shea-Porter Amendment Authorizing $7 Million for PFC Health Study | Press Release
July 31, 2017 - NH State Reps send letter to NH Congressional Delegation: Request for Assistance with Issues relating to Coakley Landfill Superfund Site and Pease Air Force Base | Letter
Jun 2017
June 6, 2017 - Senator Jeanne Shaheen questions a top Air Force official about funding a Pease health study
June 6, 2017 - Research paper published stating GAC filters may not be effective treatment for PFASs in drinking water.
June 14, 2017 - Air Force RAB meeting on Pease | Flyer | Agenda ***MEETING CANCELLED DUE TO CONFLICT WITH PFAS CONFERENCE IN BOSTON***
June 14 & 15, 2017 - 2 day conference on PFAS conference Highly Fluorinated Compounds – Social and Scientific Discovery | Northeastern University, Boston, MA | Flyer | Presentations/Videos | Speakers BioSchedule | Speakers Bio
June 22, 2017 - NH DES sends letter to US EPA requesting assistance with testing for PFAS in the state of NH | Letter
June 23, 2017 - Testing for Pease, in partnership with Northeastern University and Silent Spring Institute, are applying for a grant to conduct a pediatric health study on the immune system of children impacted by PFAS at Pease. Please watch the video and provide us with your feedback
June 26, 2017 - Testing for Pease members speak at a Mindful Monday event at the Stone Church titled "What’s In Our Seacoast Water & What We Can Do About It?" | Flyer | Agenda
June 26, 2017 - Pease Annual Water Quality Report for 2016 released by the City of Portsmouth | Press Release | Report
June 28, 2017 - US Senator Jeanne Shaheen sponsors an amendment in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), to authorize funding for a national health study on PFCs | Press Release | Article
May 2017
May 23, 2017 - ATSDR released the full version and a revised short version of the draft feasibility assessment for Pease.
May 25, 2017 - City of Portsmouth releases a Pease Tradeport Water Supply Update
May 30, 2017 - ATSDR in person CAP meeting at NH DES office on Pease | Flyer | Agenda | Video
May 30, 2017 - Andrea Amico's response to the Air Force saying they won't fund health studies at Pease | Video
Apr 2017
April 1, 2017 - TFP is featured in an article of Scientific American: Don't Drink The Water | Article
April 7, 2017 - Testing for Pease founder Andrea Amico writes a letter to the editor thanking NH elected officials for advocating on behalf of the Pease community.
April 14, 2017 - NH State Representative Peter Somssich writes letter to ATSDR requesting feasibility assessment be released.
April 20, 2017 - ATSDR releases a letter to the Pease CAP and a short version of the Pease feasibility assessment.
Mar 2017
March 4, 2017 - The Associated Press runs a story about Testing for Pease and The Air Force Times also publishes the story
March 13, 2017 - NH DES writes memo citing health effects from PFCs | Health Effects Summary for the perfluoroalkyl substances
perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorosulfonic acid (PFOS)March 21, 2017 - City of Portsmouth releases Pease Tradeport Water Supply Update
March 22, 2017 - Air Force RAB meeting on Pease | Flyer | Agenda
March 22, 2017 - City of Portsmouth and consultants from Weston & Sampson provide an update on the granulated activated carbon (GAC) filters at Pease | Slides
March 22, 2017 - Seacoast Online covers the RAB meeting | Officials disagree on Pease well remediation efforts
March 23, 2017 - WCSH 6 in Portland, Maine covers the RAB meeting in a news video | New plant helps to remove chemicals from water at Pease
March 23, 2017 - Seacoast Online article | DES Official warns of PFC health threat
March 24, 2017 - CAP members send letter to Senators Shaheen and Hassan, and Congresswomen Shea-Porter and Kuster asking for their assistance in requesting the release of the feasibility assessment | View letter
March 28, 2017 - ***MEETING CANCELLED*** ATSDR Pease CAP meeting on Pease | Agenda |
March 28, 2017 - New Hampshire Delegation sends a letter to ATSDR requesting the expeditious release of the Pease feasibility assessment | View Letter
March 28, 2017 - Seacoast Online article covers the Delegation letter to ATSDR | Delegation presses federal agency for federal health study
March 28, 2017 - State Rep. Mindi Messmer, along with multiple State Representatives and NH Senator Martha Fuller Clark sends a letter to ATSDR regarding the delay of the Pease feasibility assessment | View Letter
Feb 2017
February 3, 2017 - City of Portsmouth issues a press release with an update on the treatment of Pease wells
February 7, 2017 - ***CANCELLED DUE TO SNOW*** ATSDR Pease CAP meeting on Pease | Flyer | Agenda
February 8, 2017 - NH Legislative Hearings for proposed bills HB 484 & HB 511 in Concord, NH
February 11, 2017 - NH Safe Water Alliance Members speak at RiverRun Bookstore in Portsmouth, NH about water contamination in our seacoast communities
February 13, 2017 - DuPont to pay $670 million to settle C8 lawsuits
February 22, 2017 - Representative Mindi Messmer's bills (HB 485 and HB 431) pass the Resources, Recreation, and Development Committee. Votes = 18-1 to support HB 485 and 19-0 to support HB 431. | Article
February 28, 2017 - Representative Mindi Messmer's bills (HB 484 and HB 511) unanimously pass the Health and Human Services Committee with a vote of 21-0 | Article
Jan 2017
January 1, 2017 - Testing for Pease sends a letter to Governor Maggie Hassan thanking her for her support and congratulating her on being elected as a U.S. Senator.
January 5, 2017 – Testing for Pease meets with the Greenland Safe Water Action, State Representative Mindi Messmer, State Representative Renny Cushing and other community members to collaborate and form the New Hampshire Safe Water Alliance
January 9, 2017 - Testing for Pease sends a letter to Governor Christopher Sununu congratulating him on being elected Governor of New Hampshire and provides an introduction and background on the Pease water contamination.
January 9, 2017 - City of Portsmouth Deputy DPW Director gives update to ATSDR Pease CAP via conference call | slideshow
January 9, 2017 – The bills that State Representative Messmer filed are available for public viewing:
HB485. This bill requires the Department of Environmental Services to use exposure scenarios in children and other vulnerable populations (most conservative approach) to determine criteria for emerging contaminants in drinking water;
HB511. This bill would establish a commission to study creating a public health oversight program within the Department of Health and Human Services;
HB484. This bill would establish a commission on the seacoast cancer cluster investigation;
HB431. This bill would establish a commission to study long term goals and requirements for drinking water in the seacoast area.
January 19, 2017 - New England & New Hampshire Water Works Meeting on Pease. NH DES gives an update on state wide efforts surrounding PFCs | Slideshow | Article
January 24, 2017 - NH Legislative Hearings for proposed bills HB 485 & HB 431 | Hearing Notice
Dec 2016
December 5, 2016 - Testing for Pease presents a brief update of the community accomplishments of 2016 and future action items to the Portsmouth City Council | slideshow | video
December 5, 2016 - Brian Goetz (Deputy DPW director for City of Portsmouth) presents an update on the Pease water treatment system to the Portsmouth city council | slideshow | video
December 19, 2016 - Testing for Pease advocates to the Portsmouth City Council for the municipal water to be provided to Greenland Residents | Letter | Video
December 22, 2016 – Announcement in Seacoast Online that State Representative Mindi Messmer has filed water protection bills. Read Article.
December 23, 2016 - Testing for Pease sends a letter to U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte thanking her for her support.
Nov 2016
November 1, 2016 - Air Force announces plan to install two groundwater treatment systems at Pease | Press Release
November 14, 2016 - The Conservation Law Foundation files a $110 million dollar lawsuit in federal court alleging stormwater runoff from the Pease Development Authority is polluting area waterways | Article
November 16, 2016 - US EPA issues new documents on "Supporting Documents for Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFOA and PFOS"
November 28, 2016 - Former City Councilor Stefany Shaheen writes a letter to Governor-elect, Chris Sununu, to establish a statewide commission on water safety | Article
November 28, 2016 – Testing for Pease meets with Senator Martha Fuller Clark, newly elected State Representative Mindi Messmer, and CAP member and Portsmouth resident Lindsey Carmichael regarding legislation that State Representative Messmer plans to file.
Oct 2016
October 3, 2016 - Testing for Pease members present the PFC water contamination from a community perspective to UNH engineering students.
October 5, 2016 - Air Force hosts a RAB meeting on Pease | Agenda | Slides
October 23, 2016 - Article in the Gazette on the US Air Force conducting their own health studies on AFFF: TOXIC LEGACY: Air Force studies dating back decades show danger of foam that contaminated local water
Sept 2016
September 6, 2016 - ATSDR Pease CAP meeting on Pease. Flyer | Agenda | Video
September 7, 2016 - Pease water issues are featured in a Newsweek Article: Firefighting Chemicals Are Contaminating the Water of 16.5 million people.
September 7, 2016 - TFP members and environmental epidemiologist Courtney Carignan write a letter to the RAB co-chair re: short chain PFCs at Pease.
September 8, 2016 - City of Portsmouth releases Treatment Plan for Pease Tradeport Water Supply
September 12, 2016 - New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has published a recommendation from the state Drinking Water Quality Institute for PFOA of 14 ppt | Article
September 23, 2016 - City of Portsmouth announces upgraded water filtration at Pease Tradeport | Press Release | Article
Aug 2016
August 3, 2016 - EPA responds to NH DES letter re: other PFCs. Letter (PDF)
August 4, 2016 - Testing for Pease members and Portsmouth City Councilor Nancy Pearson meet with NH DHHS officials to discuss the letter sent on July 5, 2016
August 10, 2016 - NH DES hosts a public comment session on their rule making process for adopting the new federal guidelines for PFOS and PFOA at the NH DES office on Pease at 6:00 pm. NH DES notice. NH DES Slides.
August 24, 2016 - ATSDR release guidelines for healthcare professionals: An Overview of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl
Substances and Interim Guidance for Clinicians Responding to Patient Exposure Concerns
Jul 2016
July 5, 2016 - Testing for Pease members and Portsmouth City Councilor Nancy Pearson send a letter to NH DHHS Deputy Commissioner Marilee Nihan with recommendations from the Pease community on next steps. Letter (PDF)
July 13, 2016 - NH DHHS re-opens PFC blood testing to the community. Register online.
July 14, 2016 - Air Force hosts RAB meeting that includes a Pease bus tour of various clean up sites. RAB Tour Guide (PDF) | WCSH6 News Coverage of Tour
July 18, 2016 - US Senator Kelly Ayotte writes to the Dr. Thomas R. Frieden (Director, Center For Disease Control and Prevention) requesting that the CDC engage the residents of PFC impacted communities and public officials and to take an active role to study the long term effects of exposure to PFCs (PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS and other PFCs) Letter (PDF)
Jun 2016
June 16, 2016 - NH DHHS Pease Blood Test Results meeting. Slideshow | Final Report.
June 16, 2016 - NH DHHS Deputy Commissioner announces that PFC blood testing for Pease community will re-open in "mid July". To sign up, contact NH DHHS by phone at (603) 271-9461 or email peasetesting@dhhs.state.nh.us
June 20, 2016 - NH DES sends letter to US EPA asking for more answers and information on PFCs that do not have EPA PHAs/recommendations| Letter
June 22, 2016 - Air Force announces they will offer a Pease RAB tour on Thursday, July 14, 2016 at 10:00 am open to the public | Event Flyer (PDF)
June 30, 2016 - Elevated PFCs detected at Coakley Landfill as high as 1,108 ppt. Read article.
May 2016
May 3, 2016 - First Pease CAP meeting with ATSDR. Meeting Minutes.
May 5, 2016 - Testing for Pease meets with Governor Maggie Hassan in Concord, NH. Watch the WMUR news report. Read the Portsmouth Herald article.
May 11, 2016 - Brown University releases a study that high levels of PFOA in women are associated with decreased breastfeeding duration. As exposure to chemical rises, so does risk of ending breastfeeding early.
May 16, 2016 - Senator Kelly Ayotte sends another letter to the EPA urging them to expedite their release of a long term health advisory for PFOA| Letter (PDF).
May 17, 2016 - Testing for Pease meeting "How to Interpret Your PFC Blood Test Results" Flyer (PDF) | Slideshow (PDF) | Handout (PDF)
May 19, 2016 - EPA releases new drinking water standards for PFOS & PFOA to 70 parts per trillion.
May 23, 2016 - Testing for Pease sends follow up letter to Governor Maggie Hassan.
May 24, 2016 - Governor Maggie Hassan's response to Testing for Pease's letter sent on May 23, 2016.
May 25, 2016 - Hassan pledges to expand Pease blood testing. Please call (603) 271-9461 or email peasetesting@dhhs.state.nh.us to sign up!
Apr 2016
April 8, 2016 - City of Portsmouth and Air Force strike a water treatment deal and filters for the Smith & Harrison well expected to be operational within 6 months. Read the press release and Portsmouth Herald Article.
April 11, 2016 - NH DHHS weekly update reports that "all results for the Pease Testing Program have now been mailed back to participants".
April 12, 2016 - Testing for Pease sends letter to government officials asking for more action in the state of NH to protect public health in the setting of PFC water contamination.
April 12, 2016 - Senator Jeanne Shaheen speaks with the EPA re: setting a new standard for PFOA soon.
April 13, 2016 - Testing for Pease launches a petition to the EPA and other government officials asking for non detect levels of PFCs as the new standard for drinking water.
April 14, 2016 - Senator Jeanne Shaheen's staff responds to Testing for Pease's letter sent to government officials asking for more action in NH.
April 19, 2016 - Air Force hosts first RAB meeting on Pease. Slideshow (PDF)
April 19, 2016 - Senator Kelly Ayotte responds to Testing for Pease's letter sent to government officials asking for more action in NH.
April 22, 2016 - Governor Maggie Hassan's response letter to Testing for Pease's letter sent to government officials on April 12, 2016.
April 25, 2016 - Environmental Working Group writes a letter to EPA administrator Gina McCarthy on EPA’s Efforts to Protect the Public from Widespread PFOA Contamination
Mar 2016
March 3, 2016 - Senator Kelly Ayotte Questions Secretary of the Air Force on Haven Well clean up.
March 4, 2016 - PFOA identified in Merrimack, NH. NH DES press release.
March 10, 2016 - Governors from 3 states (NY, NH, & VT) write a letter to the Commisioner of the EPA advocating for action on PFOA by the EPA | Read the Letter (PDF)
March 12, 2016 - Brian Goetz, City of Portsmouth Deputy DPW Director, presents summary of Haven well at Portsmouth City Council retreat.
March 13, 2016 - Testing for Pease members present at the Toxic Action Center Local Environmental conference at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. | Video
March 15, 2016 - NH DHHS hosts a community meeting on the Pediatric Cancer Cluster in Rye
March 16, 2016 - Air Force hosts their first RAB meeting on Pease.
March 17, 2016 - ATSDR chooses CAP members.
March 22, 2016 - Testing for Pease officially launches their website and community group.
March 23, 2016 - The Sound in Portsmouth covers the launching of Testing for Pease website.
Jan - Feb 2016
The Air Force selects members for their RAB (Restoration Advisory Board) and the first RAB meeting open to the public is TBD. New Portsmouth Mayor Jack Blalock writes a letter to ATSDR recommending 5 former CAB members for the upcoming CAP with ATSDR. ATSDR presents to the Portsmouth City Council on February 16, 2016 and starts recruiting community members for the CAP.
January 2016 - Air Force selects members for the RAB. First RAB meeting is TBD.
February 9 , 2016 - Portsmouth Mayor Jack Blalock writes a letter to ATSDR recommending 5 former CAB members for the ATSDR CAP (PDF - letter is on page 6)
February 16, 2016 - ATSDR presents to Portsmouth City Council on upcoming CAP.
February 17, 2016 - ATSDR releases their CAP recruitment flyer and a press release on the upcoming CAP. Press Release | CAP Flyer (PDF)
Dec 2015
The CAB had their final meeting on December 1, 2015 as their work under the current city mayor and leadership came to an end. The CAB made recommendations that a CAP (community assistance panel) with ATSDR form in the near future to continue the work of the CAB to focus on long term health effects. The CAB chairman presented a summary of the CAB’s work and recommendations to the outgoing mayor and city council at the end of December.
December 1, 2015 - CAB final meeting to summarize the CAB’s work and discuss recommendations for the future mayor and city council. Meeting Minutes (PDF)
December 14, 2015 - US Air Force sends letters to former military and civilian members stationed on Pease between 1990 and 2014 informing them of the PFC contamination. Air Force letter (PDF)
December 21, 2015 - CAB chairman presents summary and recommendations to outgoing city of Portsmouth Mayor and City Council. CAB Final Report (PDF)
Sep - Nov 2015
The state presented the results of the pediatric blood test results from the first round of testing to the community on September 9, 2015. The CAB met with the federal agency ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry) to discuss possible ongoing health studies on the Pease community.
September 9, 2015 - CAB meeting with NH DHHS - Dr Benjamin Chan discusses the aggregate pediatric blood test results for the first round of testing. Dr Chan PowerPoint Presentation (PDF)
September 25, 2015 - The Air Force agrees to treat ALL three wells on Pease. Read More
September 29, 2015 - CAB meeting to discuss the Air Force and the pediatric blood test results meeting. Meeting Minutes (PDF)
October 14, 2015 - CAB meeting with ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry) to discuss long term health studies in the Pease community. ATSDR PowerPoint Presentation (PDF)
October 2016 - Second round of blood testing provided by NH DHHS closes. 1107 community members give blood samples in the second round of testing.
November 3, 2015 - CAB meeting with conference call with ATSDR and to discuss the future of the CAB. Meeting Minutes (PDF)
November 17, 2015 - CAB meeting to discuss follow up on the CAB’s questions submitted to ATSDR and the future of the CAB. Meeting Minutes (PDF)
November 2015 - US Air Force starts recruitment for Restoration Advisory Board. RAB Application (PDF)
Jul - Aug 2015
The EPA ordered the Air Force to treat the Haven well on Pease for PFCs and to design a contingency treatment plan for the Smith and Harrison wells on Pease. CAB meeting occurred on July 15, 2015 with an Environmental Pediatrician from Boston’s Children Hospital to discuss what is known about PFC contamination and children. There were ongoing discussions and advocacy for the state to open a second round of testing given the heightened community interest in getting their blood tested. The CAB met with the US Air Force on August 26, 2015 to discuss the treatment and clean up of the contaminated wells on Pease Tradeport.
July 8, 2015 - US EPA issues order on the US Air Force | Order
July 10, 2015 - The EPA orders the US Air Force to treat the Haven well and the design a contingency treatment plan for the Smith and Harrison wells on Pease. Read More
July 15, 2015 - CAB meeting with Environmental Pediatrician from Boston Children’s Hospital (Dr Alan Woolf). PowerPoint Presentation (PDF)
July 28, 2015 - CAB meeting to discuss pediatric aggregate test results and additional testing. Meeting Minutes (PDF)
August 12, 2015 - CAB meeting to discuss second round of testing and pediatric blood test results. Meeting Minutes (PDF)
August 26, 2015 - CAB meeting with US Air Force re: PFC contamination. US Air Force only agreeing to treat the Haven Well as ordered by the US EPA. US Air Force PowerPoint Presentation (PDF)
August 2015 - NH DHHS opens second round of blood testing to the Pease community for anyone that missed the deadline for the first round of testing.
Apr - Jun 2015
The state released their blood testing protocol on their website and the Governor of NH, Maggie Hassan, expanded the blood testing protocol to include ALL community members exposed to contaminated Pease well water prior to May 2014 (when the Haven well was shut down). Portsmouth Mayor, Robert Lister, formed a Community Advisory Board (CAB) to better enhance the relationship and communication between the state and community. The CAB had their first meeting on May 6, 2015. Multiple CAB meetings occurred in June. The first round of blood testing ended on June 12, 2015. The state presented the first round of 98 adults blood test results to the community on June 17, 2015 and the PFAS results of the Pease community are elevated when compared to national averages.
April 2, 2015 - State releases blood testing protocol and agrees to test anyone exposed to contaminated water on Pease prior to May 2014. Protocol was revised in June 2015 (PDF).
April 2015 - community members start giving blood samples in the first round of blood testing.
April 6, 2015 - NH DHHS starts posting weekly updates on their website for the community.
April 23, 2015 - Portsmouth Mayor Robert Lister forms the Community Advisory Board (CAB) to assist with communication between the community and the state and represent the diverse voice of the community.
May 6, 2015 - CAB meets for the first time. Brian Goetz from city of Portsmouth DPW presents Water System Overview. PowerPoint Presentation (PDF)
May 14, 2015 - CAB meeting with presentation from NH DHHS Public Health Lab & NH DES (Dept of Environmental Services). PowerPoint Presentation with NH DHHS (PDF) | PowerPoint Presentation with NH DES (PDF)
June 2, 2015 - CAB meeting with NH DES and Epidemiologists on Health Effects & PFCs. NH DES PowerPoint Presentation (PDF)
June 12, 2015 - first round of blood testing ends.
June 17, 2015 - NH DHHS Dr Benjamin Chan presents to the community the first 98 adult blood test results in first round of testing. DHHS Summary (PDF) | DHHS Presentation (PDF) .
Mar 2015
A representative from NH DHHS presented to the Portsmouth city council on March 16, 2015 and stated the blood testing protocol has been approved and the state plans to test 100 community members starting in April. The city council and community was not pleased with this limited number. The state hosted a community meeting at the end of March with excellent community attendance. The community expressed their frustrations with the lack of communication and community involvement in the planning process.
March 16, 2015 - Rick Cricenti from NH DHHS presents to the Portsmouth City Council giving an update on status of testing and informs the city council the state plans to test 100 community members.
March 17, 2015 - Air Force tests water at Pease daycare from tap with and without Brita filter. Results reported on April 16, 2015 reveal Brita faucet filter makes low level PFCs non detect!
March 18, 2015 - Senator Jeanne Shaheen asks the U.S. Air Force to assist with the costs of testing for Pease at a meeting in Washington.
March 23, 2015 - NH DHHS sends letters to all the businesses on Pease informing them of the blood testing program. Letter is on page 6 of the state’s blood testing protocol (PDF)
March 31, 2015 - NH DHHS hosts a community meeting to discuss blood testing program. Part 1 | Part 2
Dec 2014 - Jan 2015
Frustrated with a lack of response at the city, state, and federal level, Andrea Amico called the Portsmouth Herald to see if they would run a story about the lack of action and follow through by the state on the blood testing protocol. The Portsmouth Herald returned her call and wrote a front page newspaper story about her frustrations. The newspaper article gained the attention of the community and city & state officials finally started to take action. Andrea Amico started an online petition to advocate for a blood testing protocol and a Testing for Pease Facebook page to keep the community up to date on the status of blood testing.
January 12, 2015 - Andrea Amico speaks with reporter Jeff McMenemy at the Portsmouth Herald regarding her frustrations and lack of response from the state re: blood testing for her family.
January 15, 2015 - Article runs on Portsmouth Herald front page detailing Andrea Amico’s frustration.
January 20, 2015 - Andrea Amico starts the Testing for Pease facebook page to keep the community informed on the happenings at Pease surrounding the well contamination.
January 20, 2015 - Andrea Amico initiates an online petition to the Air Force, State of NH, and City of Portsmouth - Provide testing for the people of Pease exposed to contaminated well water. The petition was signed by over 270 people.
January 21, 2015 - NH Governor Maggie Hassan writes a letter to Dr Patrick Breysee with federal agency ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry) urging him to approve the state’s blood testing protocol. Read Correspondence (PDF)
January 23, 2015 - City of Portsmouth Mayor Robert Lister sends a letter to Governor Hassan expressing dissatisfaction with the time it has taken for DHHS to develop a plan and asks for a detailed timeline on the status of blood testing to be given to the city.
January 23, 2015 - US Senator Jeanne Shaheen writes a letter to the CDC advocating that the NH DHHS blood testing protocol be reviewed expeditiously.
Aug - Nov 2014
Andrea Amico continued to attempt communication with the state to check in for updates on the status of blood testing for her family. The state stopped returning her emails and phone calls in October 2014. The Air Force agrees to pay the city of Portsmouth $154,000 to look for a new well/water source.
October 4, 2014 - Air Force agrees to pay the city of Portsmouth $154,000 to look for a new well/water source now that Haven Well is no longer on line due to PFC contamination. Read More
Jun - Jul 2014
Andrea Amico continued to communicate with NH DHHS via email and phone about blood testing for her family. The state responded that they are working on developing criteria for the blood testing process. Andrea Amico reached out via email to several government officials (city, state, and federal) asking for assistance in urging the state to push the blood testing process along.
Apr - May 2014
The Pease drinking water wells were tested for the first time for PFAS in April 2014. The initial water sample results revealed multiple PFAS in all three drinking water wells on Pease (Haven, Smith, & Harrison). However, the Haven well was shut down immediately due to high levels of PFOS. A newspaper article published in May 2014 to inform the community of the contamination and a community meeting was held at the end of May 2014 to answer community questions and concerns. Andrea Amico attended the first Pease community meeting in May 2014 and started advocating at that meeting for a PFAS blood testing program to be offered by the NH Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS).
April 2014 - Pease wells tested for PFAS (f/m/a PFCs) for the first time. Water Test Results (PDF)
May 12, 2014 - PFAS (f/m/a PFC) contamination identified and Haven Well immediately shut down. PFCs also identified in Smith & Harrison wells on Pease, but below the EPA PHA (provisional health advisory). Read More
May 28, 2014 - Public Meeting to discuss health effects. Blood testing not recommended per Dr Elizabeth Talbot with NH DHHS. Read More
May 28, 2014 - Portsmouth resident, Andrea Amico, attends the community meeting and questions state officials about how to get blood testing for her family (husband and children on Pease daily and exposed to contaminated water) in place. She starts emailing NH DHHS official at end of May to pursue blood testing.
History Prior to April/May 2014
PFAS was discovered in the drinking water at the Pease Tradeport in April 2014. Testing for Pease’s advocacy started in May 2014 when the first newspaper article was published on the contamination reporting the closing of the Haven well. Since then, Testing for Pease has kept a detailed and chronological timeline of meetings, events, and activities surrounding PFAS work pertaining to Pease (see above).
Brief history of the Pease International Tradeport:
• Pease International Tradeport started development in 1991
• 3 wells supply drinking water (Haven, Smith, & Harrison)
• Haven well was shut down in May 2014 when high levels of PFOS were discovered
• Currently home to ~ 250 businesses and still growing
• 2 large daycare centers
• Restaurants
• Healthcare/medical office buildings
• Multiple colleges
• Golf course
• ~10,000 people employed on Pease daily (and growing)
• Portsmouth International Airport (PSM) currently in operation
• Air National Guard base is still active
Brief history of the former Pease Air Force Base:
• 1956 to 1991 Strategic Air Command (SAC) Base
• 4,365 acres of land with 3 on site wells
• In 1989 there were ~4500 total employees on Pease (active-duty military, civil service workers and non-appropriated fund employees)
• In 1990 military personnel began leaving the base
• In 1991 Pease AFB closed and became the first base in the nation to be closed under BRAC
• In 1991 Pease became a Superfund site