HELENA — A singular interior faucet has tested positive for per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as "forever chemicals," at Rossiter Elementary School in Helena, according to a Tuesday news release from Helena Public Schools.
This comes just one day after a news release shared that initial tests at Jim Darcy Elementary had come back positive for PFAS.
Helena Public Schools was notified on Tuesday by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) about the detection.
Helena Public Schools emphasized in the news release that, just as with Jim Darcy, this screening was conducted for initial detection only and does not indicate PFAS in Rossiter’s well. Confirmation testing directly at the well source by MT DEQ is required before conclusive determinations can be made.
The district's facilities department is working with DEQ to determine which actions and contingency plans to activate if the tests are confirmed.
PFAS are a group of manmade chemicals used in a variety of industries that don't break down easily and can remain in the human body for a long time, according to DEQ.
The full release can be found below:
Helena Public Schools (HPS) was notified today, August 11, by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MT DEQ) that per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) were detected at a singular interior faucet within Rossiter Elementary School.
This notification follows a similar preliminary update regarding Jim Darcy Elementary. Helena Public Schools emphasizes that, just as with Jim Darcy, this screening was conducted for initial detection only and does not indicate PFAS in Rossiter’s well. Confirmation testing directly at the well source by
MT DEQ is required before conclusive determinations can be made.
The Helena Public Schools Facilities Department continues to work closely with MT DEQ officials while awaiting confirmation testing results to determine which action and contingency plans to activate if necessary. Clear operational direction will be established before the start of the school year, and the District will share verified results immediately as soon as they become available.
Helena Public Schools understands that environmental testing reports can cause concern among families and community members. The health, safety, and well-being of students, staff, and the surrounding community remain at its highest priority. The District is committed to full transparency and will issue public updates as soon as verified confirmation.
For more information on district operations, members of the public and media may reach out to the Helena Public Schools Facilities Department. For more information regarding PFAS, state requirements, testing, or additional resources, please contact the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.
