Elevated levels of what are called "forever chemicals" in some water wells in Woodville south of Tallahassee now has city and county officials involved. Two elected commissioners, plus the environmental advocates who found the problem, held a news conference on Wednesday, September 17.
Local members of Physicians for Social Responsibility Dr. Ron Saff and retired professor Dan Axelrad stood with City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow and County Commissioner Bill Proctor in front of Woodville School. Proctor says the priority now is public education about the problem.
"I join with Commissioner Matlow on the basis of scientific exposure that we disseminate information to this community about filtering and doing the right stuff to protect themselves."
So far, only a handful of private wells have tested positive for elevated levels of the harmful chemicals that come from such things as no-stick cookware, fabric waterproofing sprays and hundreds of other products. Matlow and Proctor say more testing will be done and residents will be urged to buy effective water filters if they get their water from private wells.
