PFAS levels near Holloman AFB at record high
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – New research out of the University of New Mexico shows extreme levels of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination near Holloman Air Force Base. In a recently published article, the UNM researchers report world record concentrations of PFAS in birds and animals at Holloman Lake, a wastewater reservoir for Holloman Air Force Base near Alamogordo.
Report reveals record-breaking levels of PFAS at Holloman Lake
The contamination spans 30 years and is connected to PFAS foam used by military installations. Researchers said the water, sediment, plants, and animals are all contaminated. They warn that contaminated animals are a risk to hunters and could spread the chemical to other areas.
Researchers do not yet know the boundaries of the contamination. They have been studying the area since 2021.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
4 hours ago
- Associated Press
Exposure to forever chemicals before birth may raise blood pressure during teen years
Research Highlights: Embargoed until 5:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, June 12, 2025 ( NewMediaWire ) - June 12, 2025 - DALLAS — Children exposed before birth to synthetic compounds called 'forever chemicals' had higher blood pressure during their teenage years, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association. The study is also being presented today at the Society for Epidemiologic Research (SER) Conference in Boston. The association between prenatal exposure to forever chemicals and elevated blood pressure was more pronounced among boys and children born to non-Hispanic Black mothers. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are a large group of human-made chemicals used to make products resistant to water, grease and stains. People are most exposed to PFAS through drinking water, food and household products, such as food packaging, nonstick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics and carpets, and personal care products. They are called 'forever chemicals' because they do not break down easily and can build up in the environment or in the body over time. According to previous research, almost everyone in the world is exposed to PFAS through what they eat or drink, breathe or absorb through the skin. In addition, PFAS may also affect the rapidly developing fetus, a particularly sensitive time for exposure to toxic pollutants. Previous studies have also noted that high blood pressure in children increased worldwide between 2000 and 2015, raising the future risk for heart disease and stroke. This is one of the first investigations about the association between prenatal exposure to forever chemicals and offspring blood pressure from early childhood to adolescence among a racially and ethnically diverse population. The study evaluated associations of prenatal PFAS exposures with blood pressure by the child's life stage, sex and maternal race/ethnicity. 'Our study shows that prenatal PFAS exposure is associated with higher blood pressure later in childhood, especially during adolescence,' said Zeyu Li, M.S.P.H., lead author and graduate student researcher at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore. 'This suggests these forever chemicals can have long-lasting and potentially harmful effects that may only become apparent years after birth.' The study followed 1,094 children from the Boston Birth Cohort over a median of 12 years, analyzed in conjunction with more than 13,000 blood pressure readings taken at routine pediatric visits. Among children whose mothers had higher concentrations of forever chemicals in blood samples collected after delivery, the analysis found: 'We hope our findings encourage more researchers to follow children into adolescence and beyond,' Li said. 'Many past studies stopped at early or mid-childhood, however, our study shows that the health effects of prenatal PFAS exposure may not appear until the teen years.' While people can try to limit their exposure — by choosing PFAS-free products or cookware — meaningful changes to reduce everyday PFAS exposures requires action at the policy level, researchers said. 'Our results reinforce the need for stronger environmental protections,' said Mingyu Zhang, Ph.D., M.H.S., FAHA, senior author of the study and assistant professor at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School. 'Reducing PFAS exposure — especially during pregnancy and in children — requires policy-level action to limit and phase out PFAS in consumer products and industrial uses, and to strengthen monitoring and regulation of PFAS in water systems. This is not something individuals can solve on their own.' Justin Zachariah, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA, chair of the Association's 2024 Scientific Statement Environmental Exposures and Pediatric Cardiology scientific statement, said: 'We must remember that these chemicals last in our bodies for years, suggesting that perhaps prenatal exposure may have occurred before conception, and these chemicals may cause changes that can carry forward for generations. Therefore, improvements we make could echo for generations to come.' The scientific statement summarizes examples of ubiquitous environmental toxicants and pollutants, including the forever chemicals studied by Zhang et al., and their associations with increasingly prevalent precursors and risk factors for cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and congenital heart disease. Zachariah, who was not involved in Zhang et. al's study, is an associate professor of pediatric cardiology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and medical director of the cardiovascular clinical research core at Texas Children's Hospital. He noted that chemicals can interfere with hormones and disrupt usual adolescent development, perhaps including blood pressure. It is already known that boys and Black children are at higher risk of elevated blood pressure, and exposure to these chemicals may contribute to that higher risk, he said. 'If race is indicating socioeconomic disadvantage, shelf-stable processed, packaged foods are more likely to have PFAS exposure than well-rinsed fresh foods,' Zachariah said. 'In addition, the children may have lifestyles that expose them to everyday items heavily burdened with these chemicals such as toys they may chew on, rain jackets, camping tents and more.' He urges all adults to take actions like filtering water and changing cooking implements. Improved product labeling could also inform consumers about PFAS content so they can make healthier choices about exposure to forever chemicals. Study limitations include that PFAS exposure was measured using a single blood sample from the mother taken within three days after delivery, and that fewer children had blood pressure measurements taken during adolescence compared to earlier childhood. Study details, background and design: Co-authors, disclosures and funding sources are listed in the manuscript. Studies published in the American Heart Association's scientific journals are peer-reviewed. The statements and conclusions in each manuscript are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association's policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives more than 85% of its revenue from sources other than corporations. These sources include contributions from individuals, foundations and estates, as well as investment earnings and revenue from the sale of our educational materials. Corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations to the Association. The Association has strict policies to prevent any donations from influencing its science content. Overall financial information is available here. Additional Resources: ### About the American Heart Association The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. For Media Inquiries and AHA/ASA Expert Perspective: 214-706-1173 Bridgette McNeill: [email protected] For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) and
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Exposure to 'forever chemicals' before birth linked to higher blood pressure in kids
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) -- toxic chemicals found in products like nonstick pans and personal care items -- can linger in the body for up to 20 years, earning them the nickname "forever chemicals," professor and lead study author Mingyu Zhang of Harvard Medical School told ABC News. Forever chemicals have come under growing scrutiny in recent years because they build up in the body and may trigger health problems, according to a growing body of research. In this new study, Zhang and his team found that when babies were exposed in the womb to specific types of forever chemicals -- PFDeA, PFNA, and PFUnA -- they had higher systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) later in life, possibly because these chemicals can cross the placenta during pregnancy and affect early development. MORE: How PFAS are entering America's water supply "PFAS exposure in the womb can affect fetal growth. There may be potential mechanisms that involve inflammation and oxidative stress that can cause PFAS' long-term health-related changes to blood pressure," Zhang said. The risk does not affect all children equally. The association was stronger for teens, boys and Black children. In boys, higher exposure to the forever chemical PFDeA was linked to a 9% greater risk of high blood pressure from ages 6 to 12, and a 17% greater risk during the teen years. Zhang cites previous studies showing that boys could be more sensitive to environmental pollutants due to slower removal rates of toxins from the body and higher rates of buildup. When it comes to the effect on older children, Zhang speculated that because PFAS stay in the body for so long, it may take longer for their effects to take hold. Children of Black mothers showed stronger links between PFAS exposure and high blood pressure, which the authors feel may reflect the combined impact of systemic racism, housing segregation and greater environmental exposure. "We know that due to historic reasons, Black and Hispanic communities face a higher burden of environmental pollutants," he says. Some of the forever chemicals -- including PFHpS, PFOS, and PFOA -- were linked to lower diastolic blood pressure in early childhood, the study found. That's the lower number in a blood pressure reading reflecting when the heart rests between beats. But as kids got older, the effect faded and may have even reversed -- these same chemicals were possibly tied to higher diastolic pressure in adolescence. MORE: EPA announces limits on some 'forever chemicals,' but just a fraction are covered Zhang said that these findings matter because children with high blood pressure are much more likely to carry it into adulthood, raising their long-term risk for heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems. Early-life blood pressure patterns can set the stage for serious health issues later on, he noted. He called for more research into the health effects of forever chemicals as well as policies that focus on reducing their use. "Meaningful change to reduce PFAS exposure in our daily life requires policy-level change on the state and federal levels," he said. "This will really help the health of children for generations to come." Dr. Adeiyewunmi (Ade) Osinubi is an emergency medicine resident physician at the University of Pennsylvania and is a member of the ABC News Medical Unit. Exposure to 'forever chemicals' before birth linked to higher blood pressure in kids originally appeared on
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Navy seeks to test wells in Cumberland County for ‘forever chemicals'
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — The Navy depot in Hampden Township has long used firefighting foam, which contains so called forever chemicals. Now, they will host an open house Monday, June 16, where guests can learn how to test private wells for the chemical. In 2019, the Navy asked homeowners within a mile of its base to test their wells out of concern the foam may have spread beyond its property. Officially known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS chemicals break down very slowly over time. They often appear in the blood of people and animals because of its wide use, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Studies show the presence of the chemical is linked to harmful effects in humans and animals, the agency said. What are 'forever chemicals' and should we be concerned about them? Those who attend the open house will have the opportunity to check if they are within the Navy's sampling area, speak with experts and learn more about ongoing efforts to investigate the chemical. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the West Shore Elks #2257 located at 108 N. Saint Johns Church Road in Camp Hill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
