Community Level Results: Orange County, New York

At a glance

In 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) started exposure assessments (EAs) in communities near current or former military bases known to have had per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their drinking water. Individuals who participated in the EAs provided blood and urine samples to CDC/ATSDR for analysis. We sent letters with lab results to the participants.

Aerial shot of Newburgh, a small city in the Hudson River Valley in Orange County, New York

Information to protect our communities

In addition to testing participants' blood and urine samples, ATSDR is reviewing information like age and location. This helps us to better understand the community's exposure. Once our full analysis is complete, CDC/ATSDR will host a community meeting to share our findings and recommendations.

PFAS EA Participation Orange County. 59 participated in the EA. 58 adults and 1 child from, New York, PFAS EA participation. 58 adults, one child, representing 48 households.
Blood and urine samples were collected as part of the EA.

The assessment focused on Orange County, NY, near the Stewart Air National Guard Base (ANGB). For more information, refer to the map of the sampling area.

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Map of sampling area of Orange County, NY EA site
Samples were taken from the Orange County, NY, area near Stewart Air National Guard Base.

PFAS levels in blood

Did you know?‎

Since 1999, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) has measured PFAS levels in blood in the U.S. population. Most people in the U.S have been exposed to PFAS and have PFAS in their blood.

The lab tested participants' blood for seven different PFAS. PFAS levels are measured in micrograms per liter (μg /L).

CDC/ATSDR compared levels of PFAS in participants' blood across the community to the levels found in the U.S. population. Three PFAS (PFHxS, PFOS, and PFOA) were detected above national averages. The levels of PFNA, MeFOSAA, PFUnA, and PFDA were similar to or below national averages.

PFAS levels in blood compared to other studies**

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PFAS levels Orange County vs national average. PFHxS 8.3 vs 1.2. PFOS 10.6 vs 4.7. PFOA 2 vs 1.6. PFNA .5 vs.4.7. PFOA 2.0 vs. 1.6. PFNA .5 VS. .6. PFDA .2 vs. .2.
These numbers compare PFAS levels of PFAS of participants versus the national average.
Percent of PThe percentage of participants with elevated levels iPFAS levels In Orange County. PFHxS 95%. PFDA 83%. PFOS 78%. PFOA 73%. PFNA 51%.
The percentage of participants with PFAS levels above the national average.
U.S. population, exposed community, occupational exposure, Orange County near Steward ANGB.
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PFOS levels. National averagelevel (NHANES 2015/16) 4.7. Orange County10.6. Other testing locations ranged 941 to 6.6.
PFOS blood levels in blood compared to other studies.
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PFHxS levels. National average (NHANES 2015/16) 1.2. Orange County 8.3. Other testing locations ranged 180 to 2.1.
PFHxS blood levels in blood compared to other studies.
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PFOA levels. National average (NHANES, 2015/16) 1.6. Orange County 2. Other testing locations ranged 899 to 1.5.
PFOA blood levels in blood compared to other studies.

PFAS levels in urine

All participants provided a urine sample. Only a subset was analyzed because the laboratory method to detect PFAS in urine is still being refined.

PFAS were not found in the urine samples analyzed by the laboratory. Therefore, ATSDR did not analyze the rest of the urine samples for PFAS. The average levels of PFAS in urine could not be detected due to the small number of samples where PFAS were found.

PFAS levels in tap water and dust

CDC/ATSDR planned to collect tap water and dust samples from some participating households in Orange County in fall 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ATSDR had to postpone these efforts. ATSDR collected the samples in the City of Newburgh, Orange County (NY) in 2021:

  • Five households participating in the EA will be selected at random.
  • They will be invited by phone call to participate in the sampling.
  • The results will be shared with household members once available.

The analysis of the environmental results will be included with or added to the Orange County PFAS EA report.

Local authorities in the City of Newburgh have taken action to reduce levels of PFAS in drinking water. Based on the information ATSDR has reviewed, the public drinking water supply in the City of Newburgh currently meets all federal guidelines and New York State standards for PFAS. ATSDR does not recommend community members use alternative sources of water.

About the results

For more information

Visit www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas, or contact:
Luis Rivera-Gonzalez, PhD | Region 2 Toxicologist
lqx8@cdc.gov | (732) 906-6933

CDC/ATSDR is evaluating data collected from the PFAS EA to better understand exposure in the community. The PFAS EA measures PFAS levels in people's bodies but is not able to identify health effects associated with these levels of exposure. We are working to better understand health effects from PFAS exposure through the Multi-site Health Study.

We are also reaching out to doctors, nurses, and other health care providers in your area to provide PFAS information.

Keep Reading: PFAS clinical guidance and continuing medical education
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Content Source:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry