New York State Department of Health Announces In-Person Lab Order Pick Up and Same-Day Testing for Free Blood Testing Program for PFOS for Newburgh-Area Residents
Residents can pick up a lab order at Cornerstone Family Healthcare and have their blood tested for free that same day on December 14 and 15
Those currently holding lab orders can also be tested
ALBANY, N.Y. (November 30, 2017) The New York State Department of Health today announced that on December 14 and 15, Newburgh area residents can pick up a lab order in person at Cornerstone Family Healthcare and have their blood tested for PFOS that same day. The first round of the blood testing program, which began in November 2016 and runs through December 31, is free to residents concerned about their past exposures to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and other perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) from the city's public drinking water supply.
Newburgh area residents who want to pick up a lab order to have their blood tested for PFOS levels for free that same day, or who wish to learn more about the program, are encouraged to attend a session on either December 14 between 12 pm and 8 pmor December 15 between 7 am and 1 pm at Cornerstone Family Healthcare, located at 147 Lake Street. Walk-ins, as well as residents who have already received lab orders but have not yet been tested, can also be tested on either day.
The first round of the blood testing program runs through December 31 and lab orders valid through that date can also be requested by calling 518-402-7950. Residents can have their blood tested at any of the following locations:
BioReference Laboratories: Walk-ins only, no appointments
147 Lake Street (Basement)
Newburgh, NY 12550
Phone:(845) 391-8422
http://www.bioreference.com
Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LabCorp): Walk-ins or appointments
5 Hudson Valley Professional Plaza
Newburgh, NY
Phone:(845) 562-3189
https://www.labcorp.com
Quest Diagnostics: Walk-ins or appointments
347 Fullerton Ave
Newburgh, NY
Phone:(845) 562-2107
http://www.questdiagnostics.com
St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital: Walk-ins only, no appointments
Newburgh Campus Laboratory
70 Dubois Street
Newburgh, NY
Phone:(845) 568-2271
http://www.stlukescornwallhospital.org
"The state's free testing program to measure PFOS levels in blood is designed to ensure that every Newburgh-area resident who wants to be tested has the opportunity to do so," said New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker. "Residents who want to learn what their PFOS blood levels are, or learn more about the program, still have time to participate before December 31 in this first round."
As part of the state's ongoing response to address drinking water contamination in the Newburgh area, the Department of Health launched the comprehensive blood testing program in November 2016. The program offers free blood testing to Newburgh-area residents concerned about their past exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and other perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) from the City's drinking water supply. PFOS analysis is a complex process requiring sophisticated equipment and specialized staff. The Department of Health's Wadsworth Center Laboratories is one of the few labs in the country performing this task.
Since November 2016, more than 3,440 people have been tested and an additional 2,100people have received test orders, but have not yet had a blood sample collected. While the blood test for PFOS exposure does not determine current, or future health effects, it can be used to measure levels of exposure to the chemicals. The Department has worked with Newburgh-area medical professionals to answer questions and better prepare them to answer questions from their patients.
Information about the blood testing program can also be found on the NYSDOH website at https://www.health.ny.gov/Newburgh/
The statewide Water Quality Rapid Response Team's comprehensive response to PFOS in the Newburgh area includes swiftly identifying PFOS contamination in the City of Newburgh public water supply, transitioning to clean drinking water, and listing the Stewart Air National Guard Base as a state Superfund site to ensure full clean-up and accountability.
Pick up a test order:
Thursday, December 14, 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
or Friday, December 15, 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.
at Cornerstone Family Health Center, 147 Lake Street, Newburgh, N.Y. 12250
Order a test order by phone:
(518) 402-7950
Test orders are good through December 31, 2017.
For more information about the state's free blood testing program for the Newburgh area, please see www.health.ny.gov/Newburgh
