Where do PFOA and PFOS come from?

PFOA and PFOS do not occur naturally. They are man-made chemicals that have been used to make carpets, clothing, fabric for furniture, paper packaging for food, and other materials (such as non-stick cookware) that are resistant to water, grease or stains. They are also used for firefighting at airfields and in a number of industrial processes. Through one means or another, they have penetrated into the deep underground aquifer from which Hawthorne draws its water, most likely from industrial discharges

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1. How much PFOA and PFOS is there in Hawthorne water?
2. Where do PFOA and PFOS come from?
3. Why have PFOA and PFOS become a problem now?
4. What are the limits for PFOA and PFOS as set by the NJ DEP?
5. Is Hawthorne water safe to drink?
6. What, if any, health problems are associated with ingesting PFOA or PFOS?
7. What should I do if I believe that I or someone in my family is experiencing health problems associated with PFOA or PFOS?
8. Is it safer to drink bottled water?
9. Will home water filters remove PFAS from the water?
10. Does boiling the water remove PFOA and/or PFOS?
11. How does Hawthorne intend to comply with the new DEP Maximum Contaminant Levels for PFOA and PFOS??
12. When will Hawthorne's new treatment system for PFOA and PFOS be operational?
13. How much will the new treatment system or PFOA and PFOS cost?
14. How will the Borough pay for the cost of the treatment system for PFOA and PFOS?