Nearly 300 wells across the state of California are said to contain harmful chemicals ordinarily found in furniture , clothing , packaging and fire - retardants . The chemicals , known broadly as PFOS or PFOA , have been linked to cancer , developmental issues in children and damage to the liver and immune system . The announcement was made following the legislation requiring the testing of 600 " at - risk " wells . There is no agreement upon safe level of these chemicals . Consumers have been warned , however , some water from the contaminated wells is mixed with other sources before reaching taps . It 's also possible water is contaminated before delivery .
Nearly 300 wells across the state of California are said to contain harmful chemicals ordinarily found in furniture, clothing, packaging and fire-retardants. The chemicals, known broadly as PFOS or PFOA, have been linked to cancer, developmental issues in children and damage to the liver and immune system. The discovery was made following the state mandating the testing of 600 "at-risk" wells. There is no agreed upon safe level of these chemicals. Consumers have been told, however, some water from the contaminated wells is mixed with other sources before reaching taps. It's also possible water is treated before delivery.