New Hampshire suspects chemical emissions tainted wells

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire is investigating whether emissions from a plastics plant found their way into groundwater, contaminating more three dozen wells in three towns.

Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics says it's too early to say whether it's responsible for contaminating wells in Merrimack, Litchfield and Manchester.

The wells have elevated levels of the chemical PFOA, which is used to make Teflon coatings. The state says some levels of the suspected carcinogen were four times higher than the federal Environmental Protection Agency considers safe.

Mike Fitzgerald in an assistant director with the state Environmental Services Department. He says the Saint-Gobain emitted a derivative of PFOA for several years, starting in 2001, before reducing emissions to almost zero.