Mid Hudson Times , Wednesday , February 15 , 2017 3
DOH : Blood test results on the way ‘ soon ’
By SHANTAL RILEY sriley @ tcnewspapers . com
The state ’ s blood testing program measuring perfluorinated compounds ( PFCs ) in Newburgh-area residents had a setback this month when no bids were received for a job to administer additional blood tests . But , the state claims , the delay has provided an opportunity to revise and expand the biomonitoring program .
The lack of response to the New York State Department of Health ’ s request for proposals comes three months after the first round of blood tests . And , residents are getting impatient for their results .
“ We are talking about a suspected carcinogen ,” said City of Newburgh resident Richie Rosencrans , who had his blood tested in November .
The tests were given at Cornerstone Family Healthcare on Lake Street and Harper Health on Broadway . According to the DOH , 740 people had blood tests in November . Approximately 3,400 people are currently on a waiting list to have theirs , DOH spokesperson Gary Holmes said Friday .
When asked when the results of tests conducted in November would be available , Holmes said , “ very soon .” As of this week , appointments are still being scheduled for future blood tests , he said .
“ We ’ re finalizing plans to expand availability , including new locations ,” Holmes said . “ This is us being receptive to the community and creating a system that better serves their needs .”
The lack of bids provided an opportunity for the state to revise its approach to the biomonitoring program , Holmes said . “ We agree that we can expand locations and reach larger numbers of people ,” Holmes said , with “ potentially multiple locations to provide greater access .”
But , it is too soon to say where these new locations will be , he said .
Testing began roughly six months after the community learned of perfluorooctane sulfonate ( PFOS ) contamination in and around the city drinking-water supply at Washington Lake .
The contamination was traced back to Stewart Air National Guard Base at Stewart International Airport . The airbase was declared a state Superfund site by the state Department of Environmental Conservation in August . A public cry for blood testing ensued and testing began in November .
“ It seemed they would move faster than they have ,” said Joshua Smith , who had his blood test at Cornerstone Family Healthcare on Lake Street .
When filling out information at the healthcare center , Smith chose the option to have his test result sent to his primary care physician . “ I ’ m patient ,” Smith said . “ I ’ m not worrying about it , but I would certainly like to find out what the results are .”
Once people receive their mailed blood test results , the DOH will work to share information in a “ context in which we can address their questions ,” Holmes explained . “ We need to be thoughtful in terms of how we present this information … we want to make sure people understand it , so they can interpret and understand it better .”
“ The next critical step is finalizing plans to expand availability ,” he added .
The blood tests measure levels of
More than 700 people had PFC blood tests at Cornerstone Family Healthcare in the fall .
PFOS and perfluorooctanoic acid ( PFOA ), another chemical in the PFCs family . Results will be analyzed at Wadsworth Center in Albany , former DOH Director of the Center for Environmental Health Nathan Graber explained at a public meeting held at the Newburgh Armory Unity Center in October .
At the time , Graber said the biomonitoring program would serve as a pioneer project , providing some of the only data on human exposure to PFCs .
Graber stepped down from his position in December . U . S . Environmental
Demonstrators march in support of Planned Parenthood
Protection Agency Regional Administrator Judith Enck , an EPA point person for the Newburgh water crisis , resigned in January .
For more information on the state ’ s biomonitoring program , visit Health . ny . gov – scroll down and click on the “ drinking water response activities ” link – then click the link for “ State Health Department PFOS in Drinking Water in Newburgh website .” To schedule a blood test , call 518-402-
7950 or email beoe @ health . ny . gov .
More than 100 people demonstrated in support of Planned Parenthood on Saturday , in front of the facility ’ s Lake Street office .
Cathy Cahill