A new law mandates New Hampshire home sellers to notify buyers about potential PFAS water contamination starting in 2025.
Mara Hoplamazian reports for NHPR.
In short:
- The law, signed by Gov. Chris Sununu, adds PFAS to mandatory real estate notifications alongside radon, lead, and arsenic.
- PFAS contamination, linked to health risks like cancer, has been detected in over 3,000 wells across New Hampshire.
- The law aims to help buyers protect themselves by being aware of contamination risks and considering water testing.
Key quote:
“They felt they should have been alerted at the very least, so that they could put filtration in or buy bottled water to protect themselves and their families.”
— Rep. Wendy Thomas, Merrimack
Why this matters:
PFAS chemicals are odorless and tasteless, making contamination hard to detect without testing. By mandating transparency, New Hampshire hopes to ensure that new homeowners are aware of any potential risks associated with their water supply. This move reflects a broader trend of increasing scrutiny on environmental toxins and a growing demand for safer, cleaner living conditions.
