The Chilmark School on Martha’s Vineyard stopped using its drinking water this week while school officials explore installing a system to filter out PFAS contamination.
The up-Island regional school committee voted Monday to allow Chilmark School Principal Kate Squire to use bottled water, which the school started doing Tuesday.
Tests on the school well from this year have found low levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, which are chemicals linked to negative health effects, including increased risk of certain cancers and fluctuations in liver enzyme levels. The “forever chemicals” can be found in waterproof clothing, firefighting foams and nonstick kitchenware.
The school committee decided to take precautionary action despite the levels not rising above the state