NY is running a study of chemicals, metals in New Yorkers' bodies. How to participate

Emily Barnes, New York State Team
·3 min read

Have you received a packet in the mail recently asking you to participate in a study? Don't worry — it's not a scam.

The New York State Department of Health (DOH) recently received funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to conduct a five-year statewide project to learn more about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pesticides and heavy metals in New Yorkers.

Aptly named Biomonitoring NY, the project aims to establish the typical range of about 40 chemicals and metals in New York residents through the collection of blood and urine samples.

Here's what to know about the project and if you're eligible to participate.

The Biomonitoring NY project aims to establish the typical range of about 40 chemicals and metals in New York residents through the collection of blood and urine samples.
The Biomonitoring NY project aims to establish the typical range of about 40 chemicals and metals in New York residents through the collection of blood and urine samples.

Am I eligible for the Biomonitoring NY project?

New York adults age 20 years or older who receive an information packet in the mail, have lived at that residence for at least six months of the past year and sign the consent form agreeing to participate are eligible for the study.

Participants are selected at random and you do not need to be a U.S. citizen to participate.

What do I have to do?

If you're eligible, you will first be asked to complete a consent form and fill out a participant survey, which will ask questions about your age, residential and job history, lifestyle and household.

Then, you will receive a laboratory test order for blood and urine testing and asked to provide each sample, which will be tested for PFAS, pesticides and metals.

PFAs are chemicals that can be found in a number of household products and substances, such as drinking water, and can cause myriad adverse health affects.
PFAs are chemicals that can be found in a number of household products and substances, such as drinking water, and can cause myriad adverse health affects.

The entire study is at no cost to the participants and your participation is voluntary, meaning you can leave the project at any time without any penalties.

Participants will receive a $75 gift card for taking part in the project.

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When might I receive a packet in the mail?

More than 500 samples have been collected from Long Island, 435 from Mid-Hudson and Capital District and five from the Finger Lakes and Western New York as of March.

The DOH is currently recruiting participants in the Hudson Valley region and Central and Western New York and recruitment began in the Southern Tier last month.

Where is my information going?

Group-level results will be presented in scientific publications, reports and presentations and a de-identified public-use dataset will be created at the end of the project.

All personal information collected as part of the project will be protected and remain confidential, the DOH says.

If you have any questions about the project, you can reach out to the project coordinator at 518-402-7950 or BEOE@health.ny.gov.

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When will I get my results?

Results will be mailed to you but may take more than a year to receive. If any of the results are concerning, you will be contacted as soon as possible.

DOH project staff will be available to discuss your results with you.

Emily Barnes is the New York State Team consumer advocate reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Barnes at ebarnes@gannett.com or on Twitter @byemilybarnes.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: NY to study chemicals, metals in residents' bodies. How to participate