[Lwvcnmtopics] FOREVER CHEMICALS (PFAs) in our environment and bodies! April 10 presentation topic

[Jeanne Logsdon]

Dear Members,

April 22nd is Earth Day, and our April 10th educational meeting is focused on one of the most pervasive hazards in the environment. Please join us to learn more about PFAs, what they are and why we should be concerned about exposures. 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


Liver damage, cancer, thyroid disease, obesity, fertility issues, weakened immune systems - all have been linked to "forever chemicals." 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.

The largest concentration of PFAs in New Mexico exists around military bases where firefighting training occurred for decades. The firefighting foam contained PFAs that 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, soft contact lenses, 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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Meeting ID: 884 4696 6875
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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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