WEST PLAINS, Wash. – Residents of West Plains have the opportunity to sign up for free testing of home-raised meat and eggs for PFAS contamination until Oct. 28. This program is aimed at those whose water contains PFAS levels above specific safety thresholds.
To qualify, residents must have PFAS levels in their water higher than 4.0 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOS or PFOA, or 10 ppt for PFHxS. Participants should have used this water to raise animals like cattle, swine, chickens, or turkeys for personal consumption—not for commercial sale.
Participants will receive their test results, along with a one-on-one consultation from a toxicologist with the Washington Department of Health. This consultation will provide insights on the safety of consuming the tested products and tips for reducing PFAS exposure.
This testing initiative is part of a larger effort involving the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Washington Department of Health, and local health organizations. It responds to recent EPA findings that showed more than half of the 411 private wells tested in the area contained PFAS levels exceeding safe drinking water standards.
Bottled water is available to affected households upon request. Residents are also encouraged to share their test results, as this data will help officials better understand PFAS contamination in the region. Individual results will remain confidential under the Privacy Act.
For more information or to sign up for testing, residents can reach out to Barbara Morrissey, a toxicologist with the Washington Department of Health, at barbara.morrissey@doh.wa.gov or call 564-999-3485.
