NEWBURGH – Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson (D, Newburgh) is calling for the state health department to expedite a study of the effects of PFAS on people who have consumed water contaminated by the chemicals.
The lawmaker’s call comes following announcement that $900,000 in federal funding has been allocated for the study for New York.
“I am happy we got the money but I don’t want this to lie around waiting for a study to come out in two years,” Jacobson said. “I think we can get this done much sooner and I am hoping the health department will take my advice and do a quick study so that the residents will get the answers that they deserve.”
Since the chemicals were discovered in Newburgh’s water supply over three years ago, free voluntary blood testing of city residents was offered, but Jacobson said, “Like every other resident, I want an answer to the basic question, ‘What do the levels in my blood test results mean for my future health’?”
