City no longer using Washington Lake, its primary source of water
NEWBURGH – City Manager Michael Ciaravino asked the state Department of Health to provide blood tests for Newburgh city residents to determine if their consumption of drinking water from the contaminated Washington Lake has caused them any health problems.
The chemicals PFOS and PFOA were found in the reservoir with the PFOS level in the lake almost three times the guidance level limit.
In a letter to Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker dated July 13, Ciaravino wrote, “in light of the fact that the city has no way of knowing the duration of, and at what levels our residents have historically been exposed to PFOS in their drinking water, we believe there is adequate justification for the Department of Health to institute a biological testing program and health assessment study in the City of Newburgh.”
Ciaravino told Zucker that residents have been asking city council members if the city or state is going to offer blood testing and health assessment programs “to help residents understand the significance of the exposure they have already experienced.” The manager said mothers in particular, are concerned about their young children.
Ciaravino said the city would be willing to provide clinic space on a public facility for testing to be performed so that blood samples could be shipped to a certified lab for analysis.
