Environmental and health officials in New Mexico have raised alarms about high levels of PFAS chemicals, known as "forever chemicals," found in birds, small mammals, and plants near Holloman Air Force Base. This discovery marks some of the highest concentrations documented globally in wildlife, according to state comparisons with other studies.
Miranda Durham, the medical director for New Mexico's Department of Health, expressed concern over the risk to hunters who might have consumed waterfowl from the area in the past decade. The findings have been published in a recent report intended to urge federal authorities to address ongoing legal challenges related to cleanup efforts at Holloman and Cannon Air Force Bases. PFAS contamination, largely from firefighting foam, has been detected at numerous military sites across the US, with cleanup efforts expected to cost billions and extend over many years.
The report suggests additional testing on wildlife to better assess risks, especially for hunters harvesting from areas beyond the immediate contamination zone. Tasha Stoiber, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group, described the PFAS levels at Holloman Lake as alarming. Stoiber said: "These chemicals accumulate in the body over time, creating serious long-term health risks, including cancer, developmental harm, and immune system suppression."
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New Mexico's situation reflects a growing concern nationwide, with states like Maine ramping up PFAS testing. Maine's wildlife agency collaborates with researchers to track deer and turkey movements in response to higher risk zones resulting from historical fertilizer contamination. Currently, Maine has issued advisories for three areas, including one spanning 25 square miles. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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