A soil sample taken from the site of Eastside Fire and Rescue headquarters showed a detection of perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), which have been found recently in several local water wells, the city of Issaquah announced Thursday.

The soil samples were taken by a water system consultant the city of Issaquah hired to study potential sources of the PFCs.

The consultant team approached Eastside Fire and Rescue requesting to test the soil at its headquarters, which is located at 175 Newport Way NW, nearby the affected water wells.

Both the city of Issaquah and Eastside Fire and Rescue are working together to further investigate for potential sources of PFCs.

It is unclear whether this PFCs detection at the fire headquarters is below the Environmental Protection Agency’s advisory levels. Deputy Fire Chief Richard Burke could not be reached for immediate comment.

“Eastside Fire and Rescue is dedicated to public safety at every level. We have been cooperating with the city of Issaquah’s investigation,” Fire Chief Jeff Clark said in a press release.

PFCs are used in the production of fire suppressants, Teflon and waterproof clothing. In high amounts, PFCs have been linked to a variety of health issues such as cancer, a weakened immune system, high cholesterol and pregnancy complications.

Eastside Fire and Rescue stated in its press release it had replaced all firefighting foam agents known to contain PFCs with “environmentally-sound products and has been deploying these agents for many years in fire suppression operations and training.”

“The production of these firefighting foaming agents ceased in 2000 and have been replaced by more effective agents meeting all current environmental standards and provide improved firefighting capabilities,” said Deputy Chief of Operations Richard Burke in the release.

The most recent reported PFC levels from city wells are below the Environmental Protection Agency’s advisory levels and the water is safe to drink, Assistant to the City Administrator Autumn Monahan told the Reporter in July.

The city of Issaquah stated the consultant’s full report, which is not yet finalized, will be presented to the Issaquah City Council during its Sept. 19 meeting.