The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) announced today the initiation of an exposure assessment in the Security-Widefield area, El Paso County, Colorado (CO) near the Peterson Air Force Base. The purpose of the exposure assessment is to provide information to the community members about the levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their bodies and provide information about exposures in the broader community.
What
CDC and ATSDR scientists will host an online information session about PFAS exposure assessment, the participant recruitment process, and upcoming PFAS testing to be conducted with area residents.
When
August 4, 2020
6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
How to Participate
Participants can join the virtual information session by phone or online using a computer, smartphone, or tablet. If possible, please join online to view the presentation.
To register for the online information session, go to https://bit.ly/30aYWyh.
To join by phone, call the toll-free number 855-797-9485 and use access code: 161 414 3534
Live captioning will be available.
Please register in advance using the link above or by emailing Ana Pomales, Community Engagement Specialist, at: fwa9@cdc.gov. Informational materials will be emailed ahead of the online session. Participants may register up until the start of the information session.
BACKGROUND
PFAS are man-made chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1950s. They have been used in non-stick cookware; water-repellent clothing; stain-resistant fabrics and carpets; some cosmetics; some firefighting foams; and products that resist grease, water, and oil. Scientists are still learning about the health effects of exposure to PFAS. Research involving humans suggests that high levels of certain PFAS may lead to the following: increased cholesterol levels; changes in liver enzymes; decreased vaccine response in children; increased risk of high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia in pregnant women; small decreases in infant birth weights; and increased risk of kidney or testicular cancer.
The primary goal of the exposure assessment is to provide information about levels of PFAS in the bodies of community members served by the drinking water systems of Security Water
District (WD), Security Mobile Home Park (MHP), and the western portion of the Widefield Water and Sanitation District (WSD). The results of these exposure assessments will help individual participants and their communities better understand their exposure to PFAS and provide information that the communities can use to reduce PFAS exposure.
For more information about the PFAS Exposure Assessment, visit:
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/PFAS-Exposure-Assessments.html. For more information about PFAS and available resources, visit: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/index.html or call 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636).
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ATSDR, a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, evaluates the potential for adverse human health effects of exposure to hazardous substances in the environment.