CITY OF NEWBURGH – A new report shows some Newburgh residents have levels of a toxic, so-called forever chemical in their blood at a rate three times higher than the national average, according to results of a study by federal health agencies.
CDC and the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has invited all Newburgh area residents to attend public information sessions online and in person beginning July 12 to learn more about the results and ask questions.
In this study that assessed Newburgh residents’ exposure to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), scientists found high levels of PFHxS − a member of the PFAS chemical family − that they said may be connected to past contamination of Newburgh’s water, according to CDC’s summary of the study.
Other PFAS found in participants’ bodies were “not higher than the national average or were detected too infrequently to compare to national averages,” according to the report.
The city’s current water was deemed to be within public health standards. Researchers did not recommend Newburgh residents change drinking water sources.
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Here are details about the virtual and in person information sessions:
- Location: Virtual Date: July 12Time: 6 p.m. Register here: https://bit.ly/OrangeCountyEAMtg
- Location: In person at the Newburgh Free Library, 124 Grand St.Date and times: July 13, from12 to 2 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.Date and times: July 14, from 12 to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.
- Location: VirtualDate: July 18Time: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.Register here: https://bit.ly/OrangeCountyEASmallMtg
- A Spanish-speaking staff member will be available at these events.
Newburgh was one of several sites chosen to take part in this landmark study. It kicked off with a public information session at the city’s Activity Center in February 2020. The study is the first of its kind to analyze and compare information about people’s health and exposure to PFAS in communities in seven states.
PFAS is a family of man-made chemicals that are widely used and break down very slowly over time. They are found in many different consumer, commercial and industrial products, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Scientific studies have shown exposure to some forms of PFAS is linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals, according to the EPA.
Researchers focused on communities near current or former military bases known to have PFAS in their drinking water.
In 2016, high levels of PFAS chemicals exceeding federal safety standards were found in the city of Newburgh’s primary drinking water source, Washington Lake. Newburgh quickly switched off the lake and now draws water from Brown’s Pond and New York City’s Catskill Aqueduct. Studies determined the use of PFAS-laden firefighting foam at New York Stewart Air National Guard base was the source of the contamination.
For this exposure study by CDC and ATSDR, 58 adults and one child in 48 households selected at random gave samples of their blood and urine. Researchers also collected dust and tap water from some homes.
Broad results from the study were released last spring, foreshadowing the more in-depth report released Tuesday, June 28, by agencies overseeing the research. These reports indicate there are high levels of five PFAS chemicals in Newburgh residents’ blood.
Researchers were only studying how much PFAS exists in people’s bodies. These results will inform a larger, multi-site national study of health affects associated with PFAS.
View the full exposure assessment report at: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/activities/assessments/sites/orange-county-ny.html
Lana Bellamy covers Newburgh for the Times Herald-Record and USA Today Network. Reach her at lbellamy@th-record.com.
