< Dr. Robert Laumbach investigates PFAS exposure in Gloucester County under a new federal grant - EOHSI | EOHSI

Dr. Robert Laumbach receives federal grant to investigate PFAS exposure in Gloucester County

Using new federal funds, scientists will look for impact of ‘forever chemicals’ in 1,000 adults and 300 children

The federal government said Monday it is awarding $1 million each to Rutgers University and six other institutions to study the health effects of PFAS chemicals at seven U.S. sites including Paulsboro and West Deptford in Gloucester County, where high levels of the chemicals have been found.

In New Jersey, PFAS chemicals including PFNA (perfluorononanoic acid) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) were found in Paulsboro in 2009, and studied in 2016-2017 by Rutgers scientists who looked at a small sample of 192 people who had been involved in a class-action lawsuit over the chemicals. The participants’ blood was found to contain PFNA at about four times the national rate, and there was some evidence of a link between the chemical and elevated cholesterol.

The new study, due to start on Oct. 1, aims to cover 1,000 adults and 300 children, in an area where Solvay Solexis, a chemical company, used PFAS before voluntarily halting its use in 2010. The study’s subjects will be recruited beginning six to 12 months after the start date, said Dr. Robert Laumbach, an associate professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health, which will investigate PFAS exposures in Gloucester County under the new federal grant.

(Source:NJ Spotlight, October 2, 2019)

Read Complete Article