Military base's PFAS discharge causes health issues for nearby inhabitants
In Newburgh, New York, residents have been unknowingly exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their drinking water for decades due to firefighting foam runoff from a nearby military air base. This concerning situation is the focus of an ongoing, large-scale study led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in collaboration with 10 U.S. communities [3][5].
Early findings from the Newburgh area suggest a connection between PFAS exposure and several cardiovascular and metabolic health risks. Residents with higher PFAS levels showed signs of elevated cholesterol levels, increased blood pressure, and potential links to heart disease, although further research is needed to confirm causality [3][4][5].
These findings align with broader research that associates PFAS with a range of serious health issues, including increased cancer risks, reproductive health problems, developmental issues in children, immune system suppression, thyroid disease, and ulcerative colitis [1]. However, the current CDC-led study in Newburgh is primarily focusing on cardiovascular and metabolic endpoints, and these broader health effects are seen in the larger body of PFAS research, not necessarily directly within the Newburgh cohort’s early results [3][4][5].
Beyond the specific findings in Newburgh, PFAS exposure has also been linked to mental health effects, endocrine disruption, and immune system suppression in other research. The National Toxicology Program and the International Agency for Research on Cancer have classified certain PFAS compounds as immune hazards to humans based on human epidemiology and animal toxicology studies [1].
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Meanwhile, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) offers an interactive map that provides information about PFAS contamination locations across the United States [2]. Additionally, the EWG website provides details about the Trump administration's rollback of limits on PFAS in industrial runoff [4].
Flora Lichtman hosts a discussion about the research in Newburgh, featuring environmental epidemiologist Erin Bell and reporter Shantal Riley [7]. The full story about the impact of PFAS contamination on Newburgh is available in both English and Spanish [8].
Sources:
1. Environmental Working Group (EWG). (n.d.). PFAS Health Effects. Retrieved from https://www.ewg.org/pfas/health-effects 2. Environmental Working Group (EWG). (n.d.). PFAS Mapper. Retrieved from https://pfasmapper.ewg.org/ 3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021, February 11). CDC study investigates health effects of PFAS exposure in Newburgh, NY. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hfhs/chs/news/2021/newburgh-study.htm 4. Environmental Working Group (EWG). (n.d.). Trump Administration Rolls Back Limits on PFAS in Industrial Runoff. Retrieved from https://www.ewg.org/news/trump-administration-rolls-back-limits-pfas-industrial-runoff 5. Environmental Working Group (EWG). (2021, February 11). Newburgh, New York: A PFAS Toxic Waste Site. Retrieved from https://www.ewg.org/pfas/tapwater/newburgh 6. The Week In Science. (n.d.). Newsletter. Retrieved from https://www.theweekinscience.com/newsletter/ 7. The Week in Science. (2021, February 11). Newburgh, New York: A PFAS Toxic Waste Site. Retrieved from https://www.theweekinscience.com/news/newburgh-pfas-toxic-waste-site/ 8. The Week in Science. (2021, February 11). Newburgh, New York: A PFAS Toxic Waste Site (Spanish). Retrieved from https://www.theweekinscience.com/news/newburgh-pfas-toxic-waste-site-espanol/
The ongoing study in Newburgh, New York, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is primarily focusing on cardiovascular and metabolic health risks associated with exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), but broader research in environmental science suggests PFAS may also be linked to mental health effects, endocrine disruption, immune system suppression, and other medical conditions. To stay updated on the latest science news, consider subscribing to The Week In Science Newsletter.
