About 150 Palmerton residents flooded the Aquashicola Fire Company Tuesday night to hear an update from the Environmental Protection Agency.

The EPA answered questions on well testing, health concerns and short- and long-term solutions to keep the water clean.

Representatives provided an update on recent developments at the Palmerton Zinc Pile Superfund Site.

It also shared EPA’s plans to reduce forever chemical levels in drinking water to meet federal standards.

Additionally, it aimed to address questions about PFAS and public health.

Agencies in attendance included the US EPA, US Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry, and PA Department of Health.

As part of the public meeting, site history, drinking water remediation, and basics of Polyfluoroalkyl substances and Public Health were presented by Joshua Barber, Myles Bartos, and Augusta Mery, EPA Region 3 representatives.

Forever chemicals

Barber discussed PFAS, which are Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances.

PFOA is Perfluorooctanoic acid, while PFOS are Perflurorooctane sulfonate, also known as “forever chemicals.”

He explained that manufacturing started in the 1940s and that they were widely used in many common retail and industrial products.

Barber said the Palmerton Zinc Pile had smelting operations occurred from 1898 to 1981, and hazardous waste recycling from 1981 to the present.

It was on the Superfund National Priorities List in September 1983, and that contaminants of concern include zinc, cadmium, lead, and arsenic.

Barber said that PFOA and PFOS detections in Palmerton water supply wells began in early 2024, with PFOA levels of 30.7 to 34.5 parts per trillion, and PFOS levels of 39.7 to 49.3 parts per trillion.

EPA collected Superfund Site samples from soil, groundwater, and surface water this past July, with PFOA and PFOS detected in nearly all samples, though higher concentrations were detected in samples closer to the mountain.

Barber said that the max detection of PFOS at the Palmerton production wells were 49.3 parts per trillion, and the max detection of PFOA was 34.5 parts per trillion; the max detection of PFOS at site monitoring wells was 76 ppt, and max detection of PFOA 43 ppt; the max detection of PFOS at site surface water was 110 ppt, and max detection of PFOA 41 ppt; and max detection of PFOS at site surface soil was 13,000 ppt, and the max detection of PFOA was 5 ppt.

He said “ingestion is the primary exposure route of concern” for PFOA and PFOS contaminated water, and that PFOA/PFOS with regard to bathing/skin contact is less significant.

Barber said the possibility of health effects from exposure to any chemical are influenced by the amount, frequency, and length of exposure, as well as lifestyle choices and genetics.

“If you start to become exposed, it can increase your risks of cancer,” he said.

Barber said PFAS exposure can cause a variety of health effects that are dependent on different levels of exposure, and that “research is ongoing” to determine how different levels of exposure to different PFAS can lead to a variety of health effects.

Blue Mountain Remediation was then discussed, with ECOLOAM revegetation of 763 acres from 1991 to 1996 (limestone, potash, sludge and fly ash).

The remaining 1,750 acres were revegetated using direct and aerial seeding, while portions of the Cinder Pile were also revegetated with ECOLOAM from 2000 to 2002.

Removal

Bartos reviewed the Superfund removal action.

“We do have empathy, and we do have experience dealing with it,” Bartos told the crowd. “Every Superfund site is different; no two are the same.”

Bartos discussed a temporary granular activated Carbon Treatment System that will be located at Palmerton’s treatment and distribution system.

Carbon removes PFAS by absorption, and is very effecting in treating PFAS as it treats water at the source.

Bartos said DEP reviewed a conceptual design, and added that temporary (package) treatment systems can be installed more rapidly than a brick-and-mortar treatment plant.

He said technical specifications are in review, and that will be followed by a request for proposals that will be reviewed, with the hope to award by spring, and installation by late summer.

Future actions

EPA representative Augusta Mery detailed EPA’s next steps beyond the temporary system. She said private well testing in Palmerton and Lower Towamensing Township will start in March.

There will be two rounds of testing, but that they are at no cost and are confidential.

Mery said wells requiring a response will be addressed as they are identified, and there will be coordination with DEP and Palmerton.

She said PFAS site and surrounding area investigation will begin in March and continue at least into the summer of 2027.

Mery said EPA remedial takeover of temporary treatment system is targeted for the fall of 2027, and there will be a feasibility study for permanent groundwater treatment or alternative water supply.

She said it would start in the summer of 2027, and takes anywhere from 12 to 24 months to complete.

Mery said there will be continued community engagement, information sharing, and face-to-face meetings.

“This won’t be the last time you’ll see us,” Mery said.

Public input

A brief public question and answer session was then conducted.

Linda Christman, president of Save Carbon County, said it’s likely that this contamination has existed since the treatment on the Blue Mountain ended.

Another resident asked if the EPA tests people, but was told the EPA does not do blood testing.

Bill Romano, of Palmerton, said he was concerned with his health, as well as that of our children and grandchildren.

“They deserve to be able to enjoy their childhood as we did,” Romano said.

Barber said their goal is to help to determine the extent of this problem.

Resident Patricia Woginrich asked if the water is safe to drink and resident Bob Perry asked what the current risks are for the residents who have been living in the borough and drinking the water for years.

Perry was told the level in this water is not a huge amount right now.

Resident Kathy Fallow noted that for the past decade, there has been toxic waste dumped on the former Zinc Company’s West End plant, and asked whether they have taken that into consideration.

Barber said if it leads to that area, that would be an area they would need to investigate.

Afterward, people were able to visit information stations.