WESTFIELD—A local community group will be holding a conference this week to highlight the potential dangers of water contamination.
The Westfield Residents Advocating for Themselves (WRAFT) will be holding a PFAS Panel Discussion that is free and open to the public on Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at North Middle School on Southampton Road. The discussion will feature several experts in fields like environmental chemistry and PFAS, or polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are also the set of substances that have contaminated the city’s water in recent time and forced two wells offline.
According to Kristen Mello, member of WRAFT, the discussion is meant to provide residents with more information and background and not meant to overwhelm.
“This is an entry level conversation, this is a talk about science but you do not need a science background for this. This is a community level talk, this is to help ourselves get educated,” she said. “So, when people leave they know what they can do for themselves and for their families.”
According to Mello, several health risks are possibly linked to the exposure to PFAS.
The panel discussion will feature four speakers and one group discussing various parts of the conversation. Mello said that each presentation will last about 15 minutes. There will also be a question-and-answer portion at the end for those interested, and if you are worried about asking questions Mello said that they can be submitted and asked by WRAFT members anonymously.
Speakers will include Ward One City Councilor Mary Ann Babinski, who will make opening remarks.
Other speakers include the following, based on information provided by Mello:
Dr. Laurel Schaider, a research scientist at the Silent Spring Institute, a researcher-led group “dedicated to science that serves the public interest,” according to their webpage, and focuses on environment and women’s health among their agenda. Schaider also leads Silent Spring’s Cape Cod water quality research. She has a master’s and Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from University of California, Berkeley.
Shaina Kasper, who is the Vermont State Director for Toxics Action Center, a group focused on working with communities to protect them and their health, as well as a community organized in New Hampshire. Kasper works with the Toxics Action Center to assist groups in cleaning and preventing pollution issues within their communities.
Lauren Richter, a doctoral student at Northeastern University studying sociology and anthropology, and is also a member of the Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute. Her work includes research into polyfluorinated chemicals.
Dr. Courtney Carignan, an environmental exposure scientist, epidemiologist and assistant professor in the field of Food Science Human Nutrition, Pharmacology and Toxicology at Michigan State University. Research done by Carignan includes exposure to environmental chemicals, which includes compounds with high fluorination, and their impacts on reproductive health and the health of children.
Also, members of Testing for Pease will be providing a video discussion. Testing for Pease is a community action group who works to be a resource and to advocate for those affected by similar water contamination concerns out of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, possibly linked to the former Pease Air Force Base.
More information, including information on health risks, will be available at the event. You can also find WRAFT on Facebook at WRAFT01085.
