Parent Information Meeting about PFAS-REACH

Community partner Testing for Pease will be hosting two information meetings about a new federally-funded study led by Silent Spring Institute called PFAS-REACH (Research, Education, and Action for Community Health)—an investigation into of the effects of drinking water contaminants (PFASs) from firefighting foams on children’s health. The study will involve evaluating immune system effects in children (ages 4 to 6) who may have been exposed to PFAS-contaminated drinking water while attending daycare at the Pease Tradeport or whose mothers may have been exposed during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Members of the Pease community are invited to attend either one of the two meetings to learn more and ask questions. 

The first information meeting will be on:

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2018 |  5:30-6:30 P.M.
GREAT BAY KIDS’ COMPANY
81 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE, PORTSMOUTH, NH

A second one will take place on:

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2018 |  6:00-7:00 P.M.
DISCOVERY CHILD ENRICHMENT CENTER
30 RYE ST, PORTSMOUTH, NH

Project leader Dr. Laurel Schaider of Silent Spring and Dr. Phil Brown of Northeastern University will provide an overview of the five-year project, which will involve collecting and analyzing blood samples from children in Portsmouth, NH as well as on Cape Cod—two communities affected by drinking water contaminated with PFASs from firefighting foams. The research team will also conduct a social science analysis of affected communities and develop an online resource center to provide educational materials and to connect different groups across the country. Funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (under grant R01ES028311), PFAS-REACH is a partnership of Silent Spring Institute, Northeastern University, and Michigan State University. Community partners include Testing for Pease, Community Action Works (formerly Toxics Action Center), and the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition. 

This is a general information meeting. Formal recruitment materials are in development.

Download the event flyer.

For more information, see the press release announcing the new project or check out our FAQs.