PFAS blood contamination of water (2) (FOI)

​​Request

The "mean" blood level for PFAS chemical PFHxS in the USA is 1200 ppt.

Recently, over 100 concerned islanders underwent independent blood testing.  These islanders are concerned that the high levels of PFHxS (and other PFAS subtypes) in the tap water are mounting up in islanders' bloodstreams. 

Most islanders tested, many who historically have drunk only mains water, have found themselves to be contaminated with far higher than 'average' levels of PFHxS. Ranges went from 1100 pt to 10,200 ppt. 

This indicates a contamination is taking place. PFAS chemicals are a known carcinogen. 

PFHxS is one of the PFAS chemicals that were spilled on the land at St Ouen. A water body under this area of St Ouen was later flushed into our mains drinking water in an attempt to dilute it. 

A

Please advise what the Government of Jersey is doing to publicly acknowledge this contamination.

2

Please confirm what the the Government is doing to make sure the contamination cannot continue.

Response

A and B

The information requested is exempt under Article 23 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 as the information is accessible on the Government of Jersey’s website linked below:

PFAS in Jersey (gov.je)​

Article applied

Article 23 - Information accessible to applicant by other means

(1) Information is absolutely exempt information if it is reasonably available to the applicant, otherwise than under this Law, whether or not free of charge.

(2) A scheduled public authority that refuses an application for information on this ground must make reasonable efforts to inform the applicant where the applicant may obtain the information.