Governor Ned Lamont told reporters Monday he's finding out more about the environmental and health risks associated with the family of chemicals known as PFAS.
The governor's statement comes weeks after a spill at Bradley Airport sent tens-of-thousands of gallons of PFAS-contaminated water into sewers, and eventually, the Farmington River.
PFAS chemicals are linked to a variety of adverse health effects, including liver toxicity.
At a news conference in Hartford Monday, Lamont told reporters PFAS wasn't on his personal radar until that spill happened.
"Truth be told I’m pretty new to the threat for PFAS substances," Lamont said.
Lamont said he's now convening a task force to learn more about the issue and that he wants to see a report by October.
Other New England states have been working on the PFAS issue for years.
This year, Vermont passed stricter drinking water standards. And in 2016, New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire all petitioned the EPA to acknowledge PFAS contamination is a national problem.
A bill to limit the use of PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam failed to pass through the General Assembly this year.
Copyright 2019 Connecticut Public Radio
