[Lwvcnmtopics] LWVCNM - April Educational Meeting - Thursday April 10th Noon - 1pm - PFAs (Forever Chemicals) in New Mexico - In Person and Zoom

[LWV CentralNewMexico]

Dear Members,

April 22nd is Earth Day and our April 10th educational meeting is focused
on the environment. Please join us to learn more about PFAs, what they are
and why there is concern. Our speaker, Andy Jochems, is from the New Mexico
Environment Department. The meeting will take place from Noon to 1 pm in
the conference room at 6739 Academy Rd NE and on Zoom.

*Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in New Mexico: *

*Water Resources, New Regulations, and Reducing Exposure *



PFAs (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are called “forever chemicals”
because of the very long time they remain in the environment and in our
bodies. Over 12,000 PFAs have been created, and they permeate modern life
because they are so useful and cheap. However, in recent years, PFAs
exposure has been linked to many cancers, thyroid disease, weakened immune
systems, reproductive issues, and other health problems.



The largest concentration of PFAs in New Mexico exists around military
bases where firefighting training occurred for decades. The firefighting
foam contained PFAs and contaminated drinking water near Cannon, Holloman,
and Kirkland Air Force Bases. The state of New Mexico is suing the
Department of Defense as the responsible party to pay for clean-up of the
aquifers, but so far DoD has refused.



Closer to home, we should become aware of how pervasive PFAs are in
everyday products we use, such as stain-resistant carpeting, nonstick
cookware, pizza boxes, shampoo, lipstick, dental floss, many bottled
waters, waterproof fabrics, etc. But once we become aware, what can we do
about it?



The April 10 educational meeting will help address these concerns. Andy
Jochems from the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) will update us on
the dangers of PFAs and recent legislation to deal with PFAs issues; what
the state is doing to educate and protect us; and how individuals can
identify whether a product contains PFAs and reduce exposure. Andy leads
the PFAs Technical Group at NMED and has coordinated efforts to evaluate
PFAs in drinking water supplies since 2020. He has a BS in Environmental
Science from UNM and an MS in Geology from Utah State University.



Zoom Invitation


LWVCNM is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: PFAs (Forever Chemicals) in New Mexico
Time: Apr 10, 2025 12:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88446966875?pwd=ToAZpkhV4FRaqOwoHbaH8uF7R4xLVJ.1

Meeting ID: 884 4696 6875
Passcode: 859824
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League of Women Voters of Central New Mexico
6739 Academy Rd. NE  Suite 124
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109-3352
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