18 October 2022
Islanders who have had their blood tested for PFAS are due to receive their results this
week.
The testing was organised for a group of Islanders who met the eligibility criteria to
take part and consented to having their blood taken for PFAS testing.
The purpose of the
test was to allow those with concerns to understand their blood levels through a high
quality non diagnostic test.
The results of the blood testing show that some people who have received testing have
higher levels of PFAS in their blood than might be expected.
The Minister for Health and Social Services Deputy Karen Wilson said: “It was announced in
early February that PFAS blood testing would be available for Islanders affected by the
historic plume at the airport. I fully understand that levels of PFAS have been an area of
concern for Islanders who lived or worked the plume area for some time, who drank water
from private supplies, and we are taking these concerns seriously.
“It is extremely difficult to interpret results of blood tests for PFAS as there is not an
internationally accepted way of interpreting them. It is also currently impossible to assess
the impact on an individual’s health.
“The difficulties in interpreting these results will no doubt continue to cause uncertainty;
however, the Government is committed to doing all we can to develop our understanding
and continue conversations with Islanders as our knowledge grows.
“Islanders who have had their blood tested will be invited to a meeting with the Chief
Minister, myself as Minister for Health and Social Services, and Public Health colleagues
where we can discuss the results. We are also going to start a ‘PFAS and Health’ scientific
panel, which will include international academics. They will conduct an annual review of the
evidence around PFAS, the health effects and interventions to reduce PFAS in the blood
and will make recommendations to Government. They will also be asked to advise
Government on the most appropriate ways for us to undertake re-testing and at what
frequency this should be conducted moving forward.”
gov.je