(WTIC-AM) -- Dozens of state officials Tuesday held their first meeting, to began working on a state-wide plan to prevent harm from PFAS chemicals.
The Inter-agency Task Force on PFAS heard from a string of state officials describing the scope of the problem, and the health threat posed by the long-lasting chemicals.
The chemicals were recently released into the Farmington River after firefighting foam went down a drain at Bradley International Airport.
They also caused concern in Willimantic, where a well was contaminated near a firefighting school where foam was used in training.
Greenwich residents were also concerned about manufacturing that took place nearby in New York, involving the substances
Department of Public Health Epidemiologist Meg Harvey says the chemicals have harmful effects in animals at very low levels.
Harvey says the chemicals can cause changes in cholesterol, affect growth and development in children, and they may be linked to testicular cancer and kidney cancer.
The panel is scheduled to finish its work by the start of October.
PFAS chemicals are used in a wide range of products, including non-stick cookware, grease resistant food packaging, and fabric softener.
The meeting was held Department of Transportation offices in Newington.