At a glance
In 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) started exposure assessments (EAs) in communities near current or former military bases known to have had per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their drinking water.
Information to protect our communities
Individuals who participated in the EAs provided blood and urine samples to CDC/ATSDR for analysis. We sent letters to participants with their individual lab results. See the sample letter of the test results.
Additional information is also being reviewed to better understand the community's exposure. This includes age and location. Once our full analysis is complete, CDC/ATSDR will host an in-person community meeting to share our findings and recommendations.
The Lubbock County, TX EA site focused on an area near Reese Technology Center. For more information, refer to the map of the sampling area.
PFAS levels in blood
Did you know?
The lab tested participants' blood for seven different PFAS. PFAS levels are measured in micrograms per liter (µg /L).
CDC/ATSDR compared the blood levels of PFAS in participants across the community to the average levels found in the U.S. population. Two PFAS (PFHxS and PFOA) were detected above national averages. The levels of MeFOSAA, PFOA, PFUna, PFNA, and PFDA were similar to or below national averages.
PFAS levels in blood compared to national averages
PFAS levels in blood compared to other studies**
Other PFAS levels
Urine
All participants provided a urine sample, and ATSDR analyzed some of the samples. PFBA and PFHxA were detected at low concentrations in 5% and 9% of the samples, respectively. Averages were not calculated because PFAS were only found in a small number of samples.
Tap water
CDC/ATSDR collected and tested tap water samples from 12 participating households. PFAS levels for all 12 tap water samples were below all federal and applicable state guidelines for PFAS in drinking water.
Dust
CDC/ATSDR collected and analyzed indoor dust samples from 12 participating households. CDC/ATSDR is evaluating the dust sample results and will have more information in the final report.
About the results
For more information
Visit www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas or contact:
Captain Patrick Young
ATSDR Region 6
pay9@cdc.gov or 214-665-8562
CDC/ATSDR is evaluating data collected from the PFAS EA to better understand exposure in the community. This measures PFAS levels in people's bodies but is unable to identify health effects associated with these levels of exposure. We are working to better understand health effects from PFAS exposure through the Multi-site Health Study.
We are also reaching out to doctors, nurses, and other health care providers in the Lubbock County area to provide PFAS information.
- https://www.tandfoline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/15426110308984859?needAccess=true
- https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/pha/Decatur/Perflurochemical_serum%20Sampling.pdf
- https://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/pdf/FourthReport_UpdatedTables_Volume1_Jan2019-508.pdf
- https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/pdf/10.1289/ehp.0800379
- https://health.pa.gov/topics/Documents/Environmental%20Health/PEATT%20Pilot%20Project%20Final%20Report%20April%2029%202019.pdf
- https://dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/documents/pease-pfc-blood-testing.pdf
- https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/investigations/drinkingwaterresponse/docs/westhampton_quogue_group_level_blood_testing