HOOSICK FALLS - Residents were shocked Monday when the testing of sites contaminated with a toxic manufacturing chemical revealed levels significantly higher than originally reported.

Saint Gobain's Performance Plastics manufacturing plant on McCaffery Street in the village had at least one groundwater sampling that recorded PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid, levels at 130,000 parts per trillion, seven times higher than reported nearly three years ago at 18,000 parts per trillion.

"I'm nervous and I'm saddened," resident Michele Baker said. "We learned how high the chemical contamination is. These numbers and maps all represent family and friends."

Over 100 residents gathered at the Hoosick Falls Center School to learn the results of PFOA testing at four sites in the village and find out what the next steps are in addressing the issues of water contamination in Hoosick Falls. After a presentation by state and company representatives, residents were invited to speak one-on-one with officials and ask questions.

Other tested sites include Saint-Gobain's Liberty Street and Honeywell International's John Street and River Road.

Initial results show both Liberty and John streets sites are sources of contamination, state Department of Environmental Conservation officials said. The McCaffery site was the first to be placed on the state's Superfund list, and could also be placed on the federal Superfund list.

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said the discrepancy in the results are due to a limited number of samplings in previous reports.

Carmen Ferrigno, vice-president of communications and community relations at Saint Gobain, said they'll continue testing to pinpoint how to address the contamination sources.

"The goal is to have a remediation plan that's very concise so we can do it as quickly as possible," he said. "When you start out with ambiguity it's difficult, but as you apply the science you start to see where you want to focus."

The testing for chemicals was conducted by the two companies with oversight from the DEC, and were the focus of testing because the manmade chemical PFOA and other chemicals were used there for decades.

These results followed the release of a controversial cancer study by the state, which found no increased rate of cancer among the Rensselaer County village’s 3,400 residents. The results infuriated residents and was questioned by some experts who said the analysis was misleading and too limited to accurately show any link between rare forms of the disease in residents who drank contaminated water.

The samplings included groundwater, soil and sediment, among others, results of which have prompted additional testing. Further investigation is expected to determine the extent of the contamination, what elements are impacted and how widespread the contamination may be.

State officials also revealed additional sites that will be investigated further as possible sources of contamination, including the Hoosick Falls Landfill, the former Oak-Mitsui on First Street and Allied-Signal Laminate Systems on Mechanic Street.

Seggos said these meetings provide the community the opportunity to better understand what's being done.

"I think tonight was very valuable for us to explain everything we've been up to here in the community, and then the next stage is continuing the investigation," he said. "All of that is going to lead towards a clean up that addresses the environmental contamination."

A draft alternative water supply evaluation is expected to be completed by the fall. The public will get the opportunity to comment on the plan.

Judith Enck, a former regional administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency, said the unveiled results should push officials to address the issue quickly.

"Why spend time and resources continuing to take groundwater levels, when I think we really need to hurry up and go right to looking at the Tomhannock Reservoir so people can have the peace of mind of unfiltered water," she said.