Massachusetts warns consumers of elevated PFAS levels in Easton Simpson Spring water
EASTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has advised consumers not to purchase or drink water bottled or distributed by Simpson Spring Company, an Easton-based bottled water supplier, due to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) contamination that exceeded drinking water standards, officials announced Wednesday.
“If you have Simpson Spring water in your home or establishment, do not consume the product, pour the water down a drain, and do not buy or consume new products from Simpson Spring until further notice,” the Department of Public Health wrote.
The state health department's Food Protection Program collected water samples from Simpson Spring on Feb. 21 and again on March 11. According to the DPH, test results found and confirmed that the samples taken from their Easton facility exceeded the Massachusetts drinking water standard for PFAS, which has been shown to cause adverse health outcomes when consumed.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, animal studies show that PFAS may negatively affect growth and development, as well as reproduction, thyroid function, the immune system and the liver.
The DPH also reported that sanitary violations were documented during the inspections and a cease-and-desist order was issued.
As a result of the original data collection and findings from Feb. 21, Simpson Spring voluntarily ceased bottling operations and disconnected its vending machines on March 1 until the issue is resolved, the DPH said.
Sampson Spring Company acknowledged the issue on their Facebook page the next day.
“Ten of our half liter bottles were tested and came up positive for higher than Massachusetts minimum requirements for PFAS,” the company wrote on March 2. “During this time period, all of our vending units and sale of bottled water have been suspended."
On March 13, the company announced on Facebook that they would offer Berkshire Spring water until they are able to bottle their own water again.
“DPH’s Food Protection Program will continue to monitor the situation and work with Simpson Spring to correct the violations,” the DPH wrote.
Sampson Spring Company is self-described as the oldest independent bottling plant in the U.S., according to the company's Facebook page. Since 1970, the company has been bottling natural spring water from their property, located outside of Southfield, Massachusetts.
This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Easton PFAS: Officials warn not to buy, drink Simpson Spring water
