ALBANY – Results of blood
testing on the first 370 people who participated in the program in the
Newburgh area have been mailed out by the state Health Department.
The state agency also announced the program will be expanded, giving residents greater flexibility in undergoing future tests. Under the enhanced program, residents will be able to schedule appointments at patient centers at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital, Quest Diagnostics and Laboratory Corporation of American Holdings (LabCorp).
The free blood testing is for anyone concerned about exposure to PFOS as a result of drinking water from the City of Newburgh’s Washington Lake or area tributaries where the carcinogenic chemical entered from the source of the contamination – firefighting foam from the Stewart Airport New York Air National Guard Base.
The blood test for PFOS exposure does not determine current or future health effects, but can be used to measure levels of exposure to the chemicals. In addition to the results, participants will receive information that includes context for understanding how their blood levels compare to others in their community and nationwide.
To help those who participated in the free blood testing understand their results and receive an update on the state’s response to PFOS in Newburgh, public information meetings will be held at Kaplan Hall of SUNY Orange in Newburgh on Wednesday, February 22 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Tuesday, February 28 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Persons interested in having their blood tested going forward should call to request a laboratory order at 800-801-8092.
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