PIQUA – The City of Piqua is pleased to announce that drinking water samples recently collected and analyzed for 29 PFAS compounds and lithium had results of non-detect. A non-detect analytical sample indicates that the substance’s concentration is lower than could be detected using the method employed by the laboratory.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates that municipalities nationwide complete drinking water sampling for the monitoring of currently unregulated contaminants. The program is officially termed UCMR5, which stands for Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, with the number representing that this is the fifth round of such sampling since 2005.
The City contracted with Eurofins Eaton Analytical in South Bend, Ind., for the UCMR5 analysis conducted in February. The company will conduct similar analyses three additional times in 2025, and the four sampling events will conclude the City of Piqua’s compliance in the UCMR5 program.
The analyses test for the presence of 29 polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals.” Studies have shown that exposure to PFAS compounds has possible health effects such as elevated cholesterol, liver damage, thyroid dysfunction, decreased immune response, elevated risk of certain cancers and fertility/developmental issues.
The analyses also monitor the lithium levels in finished drinking water. With the recent emergence of electric devices, including vehicles, the mining and manufacturing of lithium have raised concerns about the possible health effects of lithium exposure, including from drinking water sources.
