Scientists To Test Conasauga For Possible Contamination

A major water source for Dalton will go under the microscope this summer to test for a contaminating chemical.
Scientists will study the Conasauga to look for the compound used to make Teflon and stain-resistant carpet.
The small river that supplies Dalton Utilities with its water will be teeming with scientists this summer -- looking for a possibly toxic chemical.

Don Cope, CEO Dalton Utilities
"I think that testing now may be a situation where we're putting the cart before the horse."

Dalton Utilities CEO Don Cope says he understands the need for testing -- but the chemical -- C8 is not regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency.  Therefore, Dalton Utilities does not test for it in the water. University of Georgia professor Dr. Robert Bringolf will lead the research.

Dr. Robert Bringolf, UGA professor
"They're commonly used in things like stain guards, on anything from carpet and textiles to things like that, they're also used on food containers, pizza boxes, french fry containers, things like that."

Which he says, led scientists to link it to Dalton's nearby carpet mills. But Dr. Bringolf says there is no clear link to C-8 and health risks in humans or animals.

Bringolf
"They've been found in relatively pristine areas that we think about like the artic measured in dolphins they've been measured in polar bears and air samples water samples soil so it seems like they're fairly ubiquitous."

Only tests will tell if the Conasauga river is supplying more than just water to residents.  Cope says if studies prove there is a need for regulation of the chemical and the EPA calls for it, he and the utility will comply.

"Certainly, this company is concerned about water quality and the health of every living thing that we possibly influence all the aquatic life, all the plants and the people."

All things that will go under the microscope this summer when scientists are on the hunt for C-8.
Scientists around the world only began measuring chemicals like C-8 about 10 years ago.
So there is little background on the connection between the chemical and health concerns.