In August, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and the New Mexico Department of Health released the Final Report on the state’s PFAS Blood Testing Project, the first large-scale public health effort to measure “forever chemical” levels in New Mexicans’ bloodstreams. The project, funded entirely by NMED’s Hazardous Waste Bureau, began in early 2024 in response to PFAS contamination tied to Cannon Air Force Base. Factors driving the project included the base’s longstanding use of firefighting foams, documented soil and groundwater contamination, mile-long PFAS plumes stretching through Curry County, and the exposure of thousands of local dairy cows to contaminated water. In July 2024, an estimated 7,000-gallon PFAS spill originating from Cannon Air Force Base heightened existing concerns about water quality and human health in the area.
Between September and November 2024, NMED collected blood samples from nearly 630 Curry County residents and workers, with a large focus on the city of Clovis given its proximity to the base. Researchers performed testing for 33 distinct PFAS compounds and found contamination in 99.7% of participants’ blood samples, with only two individuals showing no detectable levels. PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS were most prominent, appearing in more than 98% percent of samples, while PFNA was present in 90.4%. Of the four, PFHxS levels were particularly elevated – participating individuals had concentrations at least 3x higher than the national average.
As a next step, NMED will follow up with participants who showed the highest levels of PFAS, providing health screenings and guidance for healthcare providers on PFAS-related health effects. In addition, the department will continue evaluating mitigation options and plans to host a public meeting to discuss the project’s results with the affected community.
Efforts to broaden testing to communities surrounding other New Mexico Air Force bases are currently under discussion.
