Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
SANTA FE — New Mexico Environment Department and the New Mexico Department of Health are offering an additional 250 blood tests for PFAS exposure.
PFAS, a group of man-made chemicals, have been linked to potential health risks. The extended testing period will run from Thursday through Nov. 20 by appointment only, according to an Environment Department news release.
This follows previous sessions in September and October, where 500 residents from the area surrounding Cannon Air Force Base signed up, citing health concerns related to PFAS contamination in the local water supply. Already, over 130 appointments for November’s session have been filled.
Testing is available to adult New Mexico residents who currently or previously lived or worked near Cannon AFB, where PFAS from military firefighting foams have polluted the water.
To sign up, call 575-575-7327 to schedule an appointment.
Additionally, NMED will host an in-person public meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Clovis Community College Town Hall, 417 Schepps Blvd., the release stated.
“This event will run concurrently with a virtual-only meeting by the U.S. Air Force,” the release stated. “Community members can join the Air Force meeting in-person with NMED Secretary James Kenney and other NMED staff, who will offer further information and address any questions unanswered by Cannon AFB officials. NMED will broadcast the Air Force’s Zoom meeting live during the public meeting.”
After the meeting concludes, NMED will provide updates on ongoing efforts related to blood testing, private well water testing, and other PFAS-related issues, the release stated.
For more information on the Environment Department’s PFAS initiatives, including blood testing, water testing, and the upcoming public meeting, visit its website at: env.nm.gov/
