SPOKANE, Wash — The drinking water out on the West Plains has been a hot topic of conversation in recent weeks; specifically, the conversations have been centered around the potential health effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found in that water.
It can be hard to know where to get accurate information about PFAS and what to do with it. That's why the West Plains Water Coalition is hosting an important meeting next week with Dr. Bob Lutz, the former health office for the Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Monday, Lutz will lead a discussion about exposure to PFAS and how to talk with a doctor about exposure concerns. The meeting will be held at the HUB in Airway Heights and is open to the public.
Ahead of the meeting, Lutz talked with KREM 2 about what he wants people who are concerned about potential PFAS exposure to know.
"The take home message to an individual who is concerned about past exposure or present exposure is limit your exposure as best you can," Lutz explained. "And right now, primarily in West Plains, it's water. But also know that if you're coming, if you're eating foods that have been grown out there, or animals that have been raised out there, it's likely they've been exposed to PFAS as well."
Lutz also said there is now a blood test that can detect how much PFAS is in your blood.
Earlier this week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it is now going to pay to test the private wells for approximately 300 property owners living in the priority testing zone. To request a test, follow this link.
The PFAS meeting with Dr. Lutz is set for 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 26. The meeting will be held at the HUB in Airway Heights, located at 12703 West 14th Avenue.
DOWNLOAD THE KREM SMARTPHONE APP
DOWNLOAD FOR IPHONE HERE | DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID HERE
HOW TO ADD THE KREM+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KREM in the Channel Store.
Fire TV: Search for "KREM" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
Apple TV: Search "Spokane News from KREM" in the Apple store or follow this link.
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email webspokane@krem.com.