How to Talk to Your Doctor about PFAS

Featuring Dr. Bob Lutz, Washington State Department of Health
Monday, Feb 26 7:00 p.m.
at The HUB in Airway Heights 12703 W 14th St (Highway 2)

This event is designed to help people understand the health implications of exposure to chemicals called per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS), and explain how to talk to your doctor about personal risk assessment. The meeting will address what to do if you have concerns that your health has been impacted by PFAS exposure.

Many private water wells in Spokane’s West Plains region are contaminated with PFAS-laden AFFF firefighting foam pollution from Fairchild Air Force Base and Spokane International Airport. PFAS compounds, also called “forever chemicals,” are linked to serious human health problems.

Guest speakers at this event are two community health volunteers, Bob Lutz, M.D., the former Spokane County Health Officer, and Gail Oneal, R.N., Ph.D., who has been a nurse for 44 years. Dr. Oneal’s dual interests in environmental health risks and working with people to reduce exposures have become personal since she’s lived in the West Plains area of Spokane for 28 years.

Dr. Lutz and Dr. Oneal will discuss, among other topics:

• Potential health effects of exposure to PFAS environmental toxins;
• The latest news in medical research regarding PFAS chemicals and health;
• Blood testing and interpretation of results and risks;
• Strategies for helping physicians and medical professionals get up to speed on PFAS chemical exposure and risks to public health

During the Q & A portion of this event, meeting attendees are encouraged to share their own PFAS experiences and health concerns, especially as they relate to discussions they’ve had with their own personal medical providers.

NOTE: This activity is funded by the Public Participation Program of the Washington State Department of Ecology, but is not necessarily endorsed by the agency.