WESTFIELD – Residents will have the opportunity to weigh-in on the PFAS Exposure Assessment July 23. Last week the Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) announced the initiation of an exposure assessment near the Barnes Air National Guard Base site.
According to the CDC “the purpose of the exposure assessment is to provide information to the community members about the levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their bodies and provide information about exposures in the broader community.”
Kristen Mello (WNG File Photo)
The ATSDR originally announced community participation in February.
The public session is July 23 at 5:30 p.m. at Westfield Intermediate School, 350 Southampton Road. Scientists will provide information about ATSDR, the PFAS exposure assessment, the participant recruitment process, and upcoming PFAS testing to be conducted.
“Several hundred Westfield residents signed a petition asking the ATSDR for PFAS blood testing to help learn more about our exposure to these toxic, ‘forever chemicals’ from our contaminated drinking water,” said Westfield Residents Advocating for Themselves Founder Kristen Mello. “This meeting on the 23rd marks the beginning of that process and is an excellent opportunity for residents to ask questions of the scientists. We hope everyone will attend.”
CDC/ATSDR encourages people with disabilities to attend these meetings. If you need special accommodations, contact Ana Pomales by email([email protected]) or phone (215-834-2554) at least a week prior to the meeting.
According to the CDC, PFAS are man-made chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1950s. There are nearly 5,000 types of PFAS, some of which have been more widely used and studied than others. Scientists are still learning about the health effects of exposure to PFAS. Some studies have shown that exposure to certain PFAS may affect growth, learning, and behavior of infants and older children; lower a woman’s chance of getting pregnant; interfere with the body’s natural hormones; increase cholesterol levels; affect the immune system; and increase the risk of cancer.
Several city wells were contaminated with PFAS from firefighting foam used at the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base. The city has lawsuits against manufacturers of the foam as well as a claim against the United States Air Force.
