Editor's Note: City PIO Donna Stinnett will be our guest on today's edition of SpeakUp at 8 am to talk more about the
city's working group and its next steps in its fact finding mission. Tune in at 860 AM/96.5 FM and online at wsonradio.com.
HENDERSON, Ky. - The City of Henderson Board of Commissioners spent some time discussing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
(PFAS) and the creation of a Working Group to gather information and guidance about these chemicals that are now being studied
by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at its regular meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 9.
Like many communities across the country, the city has become acutely aware of the concerns around (PFAS). PFAS are a group
of chemicals that have been used in manufacturing for more than six decades. They are found in numerous everyday commercial
and consumer products, including food packaging, cosmetics, fabrics, cleaning products, nonstick cookware, and firefighting foam.
Yet, only of late have potential health impacts from PFAS come to light.
Late last year, local officials learned that a Henderson company had reported that it found PFAS in soil and groundwater
around its facilities and self-reported its findings to state environmental leaders. The company, Shamrock Technologies Inc.,
is currently working with the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet to assess the levels and locations of PFAS in the community.
Recently, U.S. EPA leaders announced a three-year PFAS Strategic Roadmap, indicating they plan to take steps to better
understand and regulate PFAS in the environment. Currently, they have advised that humans should limit exposure to PFAS
but have not taken steps to reduce its use.
The City is forming the Working Group to help everyone in the community, including leaders, better understand the personal
and public health impacts. "Given that the City of Henderson has no regulatory authority on this, we feel our most important
role is to gather information for our community and share it with local leaders and the public," City PIO Donna B. Stinnett
told the commission. "We are in the process of doing just that. We want it for ourselves, too, since we also live in this
community."
Among other business, the commission:
--Approved the addition of Juneteenth and Veterans Day as holidays for City of Henderson employees.
--Approved ordinances amending the Henderson Water Utility Fiscal Year 2022 budgeted positions and pay plans.
--Accepted public way improvements in Canoe Creek II Subdivision on Arrow Way.
--Heard a report about the work plan for the OSHA mandatory vaccine requirement for employers with more than 100 employees.
To date, 57 percent of City employees have been COVID vaccinated. As for the vaccine incentive program for the public, the
three participating pharmacies and the health department have requested a total of 298 gift cards.
The date for the next regular meeting in November will be announced. It will take place in the third-floor Assembly Room
of the Henderson Municipal Center.
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