A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analysis showed heightened levels of PFAs among residents living around the New Castle Airport and the Air National Guard base.
The report came from the National Center for Environmental Health Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. The concentration is above Environmental Protection Agency standards.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a family of chemicals that have been used in industry. The chemicals do not occur naturally. The chemicals were produced by companies that include DuPont. DuPont and spin-off companies agreed to a $75 million settlement with the State of Delaware regarding the use of the chemicals.
PFAS, sometimes known as forever chemicals, were used at the base in foam used in training for battling aircraft fires. The accumulation of the chemicals around airbases may date back to the 1970s.
Elevated levels of PFAs were found in wells in the vicinity of the airport.
The water utility for the City of New Castle and Artesian Water installed equipment to filter out the PFAs, and current drinking water samples are within limits.
The concentrations in blood are suspected of having accumulated in those who were drinking water before the filtration equipment was installed.
PFA concentrations have also been found in wells near Dover Air Force base and other installations around the nation.
The study assessed PFAS levels in the blood and urine of New Castle area residents living in the vicinity of New Castle Air National Guard Base. The study involved Artesian customers living in the Wilmington Manor area and residents of the City of New Castle served by its municipal water utility. Test results were compared to PFAS levels in a nationally representative sample.
The report cautioned that the number of samples was relatively small and did not have a representative sample of Black residents. Those with kidney disease had elevated levels of PFAS, although the sample was small.
The CDC unit will use the data collected from this and other EAs to help inform future studies of PFAS water contamination.
A community webinar is scheduled.for 6 p.m. Feb. 17 to learn more about the results of the PFAS exposure assessment. Experts will also answer community questions. To register, log on to: https://bit.ly/NewCastleEAMtg
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