HYANNIS – A large-scale federal study of harmful chemicals in drinking water – part of which is being conducted in Hyannis – could face delays due to possible disputes within the Trump Administration.
The Silent Spring Institute is participating in the five-year study and will test the impact of PFAS contamination in drinking water on adults and children in Hyannis and Ayer.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry awarded a $1 million grant to the Silent Spring Institute in September to study the two Massachusetts locations.
The money will be used to investigate the human health effects of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, of PFAS, contaminants in drinking water.
Both locations have had drinking water contaminated by PFAS due to the use of firefighting foams from local training areas.
The chemicals, which are also found in nonstick coatings, water-repellent clothing and many other household and personal items, have been linked to health threats ranging from cancer to decreased fertility, a higher risk for diabetes, and more.
Due to public concern regarding the contaminants, lawmakers approved $10 million in 2018 for a national study aimed at answering questions regarding the effects on human health. The health study was authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act.
Other areas participating in the study are California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
Silent Spring plans on collecting blood samples from 1,000 adults and 300 children in Hyannis and Ayer.
Public drinking supplies in those communities have been contaminated with PFAS and have been traced to the use of firefighting foam at nearby training areas.
“The researchers are going to analyze the samples for a range of known PFAS chemicals biological markers of different health effects, including the effects on the immune system, reproduction, cholesterol levels and behavioral effects in children, and previously unknown PFAS chemicals that study participants may have been exposed to.” said Cheryl Osimo, the executive director of the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition and the co-founder and Cape Coordinator of the Silent Spring Institute.
Silent Spring had a goal of moving forward with testing in 2020.
“We are not exactly sure if there is a delay,” Osimo said.
“I think that we are concerned that there will be a delay, but I’m not sure that there is a delay.”
Osimo said if the study is delayed, it could negatively impact the long-term health of all U.S. residents, and future generations.
“These communities across the entire country are counting on us to move this research along to discover the health effects of a chemical known to be in the blood of all Americans,” she said.
Osimo said her team is investigating what is going on between the CDC and the OMB.
“When I can provide detailed information that I am positive is accurate, I will certainly be getting back to the media,” Osimo said.
Osimo has reached out to the office of Congressman William Keating (D-Bourne) to get more background information on the issue. She was also scheduled to speak with State Representative Paul Frost (R-Auburn) Tuesday.
Osimo said she is going to remain positive and optimistic.
“At the point in time that we feel that our work is being delayed, certainly, I am going to be forceful and reaching out to the appropriate authorities to see what we can do to move forward in a positive direction as soon as possible,” she said.
She said she does not want to alarm the public and make people feel that they aren’t able to complete the study.
“The study, I believe, will go on. I’m not worried about that,” Osimo said. “We may be a bit delayed, but I do feel positive that we will be moving forward – soon I hope.”
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