Urging Attendance At Monday's PFAS Forum

Meghan Perry •

To the editor: I hope this message finds you well. I wanted first and foremost thank you for your time and efforts on the public schools athletic fields upgrades and for allowing public comment at the last workgroup meeting.

I wanted to share an important educational opportunity that could be highly valuable to the student athletes who spoke at the recent School Committee meeting, as well as to parents, staff, and members of the athletic fields workgroup.

During the meeting last week, student athlete Madden emphasized the importance of bringing in qualified experts to guide decision-making and suggested that students themselves were willing to contribute through research and documentary work, despite their demanding schedules as athletes. Her comments reflected a strong desire within the student body to be part of a thoughtful, evidence-based process.

With that in mind, I would like to draw your attention to an upcoming event that perfectly aligns with this goal. The town of Nantucket will host a PFAS presentation by Dr. Laurel Schaider, a nationally recognized expert from the Silent Spring Institute, today, Monday, November 17, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.

Dr. Schaider is a senior scientist leading the Massachusetts PFAS and Your Health Study, part of a national CDC-funded initiative. Her research has been featured by NPR, The Washington Post, and other major media outlets, and she testified before a U.S. Senate subcommittee in 2024. Few experts are better equipped to clarify the complex science behind PFAS exposure and its implications for community health.

Event Details:

  • Topic: Everyday Exposures to PFAS and What You Can Do to Avoid Them
  • Presenter: Dr. Laurel Schaider, Senior Scientist, Silent Spring Institute
  • Date & Time: Monday, November 17, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.
  • Location (In Person): PSF Community Room, 4 Fairgrounds Road (inside the Police Station)
  • Zoom:https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HLHwsHQHR5OMTjbCXHgDuA

Given the ongoing discussions about the athletic field upgrades and the questions raised regarding PFAS, I strongly encourage all workgroup members to attend or view this presentation. It represents a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of the foremost researchers in this field — someone who can provide clear, science-based answers to many of the concerns our community has expressed.

I also hope the student athletes and their parents will consider attending. Their voices and engagement are critical in shaping well-informed, responsible decisions that protect both our students and the broader community.

Thank you for considering sharing this information with the students who spoke and others who may be interested. This presentation offers our town an opportunity to make decisions grounded in the best available science and to demonstrate our collective commitment to the health and well-being of our children.

Sincerely,
Meghan Perry

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