Drinking Water at Eight Public Schools Contaminated by Manufactured Chemicals, FCPS Says

Schools Closed After Discovery

Eight public schools in Fairfax County, Virginia have been closed after officials discovered that the drinking water was contaminated with manufactured chemicals. The Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) system said that the water at the schools contained levels of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) that exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) health advisory levels.

Health Concerns

PFOA and PFOS are man-made chemicals used in a variety of industrial and commercial applications. They have been linked to a range of health problems, including cancer, developmental issues, and immune system dysfunction.

The EPA has set a health advisory level for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water of 70 parts per trillion (ppt). The water at the eight FCPS schools was found to contain levels of PFOA and PFOS ranging from 80 ppt to 140 ppt.

Schools Affected

The eight schools that have been closed are:

• Braddock Elementary School
• Fairfax Villa Elementary School
• Fort Belvoir Elementary School
• Fort Hunt Elementary School
• Groveton Elementary School
• Hybla Valley Elementary School
• Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School
• Rose Hill Elementary School

Response

FCPS officials said that they are working to address the contamination. The schools have been closed and the water fountains have been turned off. Bottled water is being provided to students and staff.

FCPS is also working with the EPA and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to investigate the source of the contamination. The agency is also working to determine if any other schools in the county are affected.

Conclusion

The discovery of contaminated drinking water at eight public schools in Fairfax County, Virginia, is a serious concern. The chemicals found in the water have been linked to a range of health problems.

FCPS is working to address the contamination and to determine the source of the problem. The agency is also working to ensure that all of its schools have safe drinking water.