It was disturbing, though not surprising, when members of the Chautauqua-Conewango Watershed Consortium reported finding PFAS in the Chadakoin River and areas of the river near Chautauqua Lake.

The PFAS are less than the limits allowed by EPA rules, but their presence is still troubling because drinking water with too much PFAS can decrease fertility or lead to increased high blood pressure in pregnant women; lead to developmental effects or delays in children, including low birth weight, accelerated puberty, bone variations, or behavioral changes; increase the risk of some cancers, including prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers; reduce the ability of the body’s immune system to fight infections, including reduced vaccine response; interfere with natural hormones and increase cholesterol levels and/or risk of obesity. How much damage PFAS do to the human body is still being researched.

Finding PFAS in the river isn’t surprising because of Jamestown’s industrial past, and its presence prompted consortium officials to begin testing other lakes. The news released last week that PFAS haven’t been found in any of the county’s inland, rural lakes is good news. It means PFAS contamination may be more limited to areas that were home to heavy industry rather than spreading throughout the watershed. It’s encouraging to know that there are several sites on Chautauqua Lake that regularly test for PFAS, with more possibly being added as the state begins to require more heightened scrutiny of PFAS’ presence in drinking water sources.

The consortium’s study was compiled by Bill Boria, a former Chautauqua County Health Department water resource specialist. One of his recommendations is further testing on Chautauqua Lake in areas that aren’t currently tested. It’s a recommendation that should be followed.

There is a lot of research yet to be done on PFAS and their impact on the body. Knowing how widespread an issue we have in Chautauqua County is important while federal researchers and their partners in academia do their work.