WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – The Wichita Black Nurses Association is offering free health screenings for people who may have been exposed to contaminated groundwater stemming from a chemical spill near 29th and Grove Street in the 1970s. Residents did not learn of the exposure to cancerous chemicals until 2022.
The screenings are open not only to people who lived in the area, but also to those who worked, attended school or had childcare in the community.
What the testing includes
The screenings include blood tests and urinalysis to assess potential health impacts from the chemical exposure.
“We are doing those blood tests along with the urinalysis to evaluate retrospectively, we’re looking backwards at the impact that it might’ve happened on a person’s health,” said Peggy Jones-Foxx, president of the Wichita Black Nurses Association.
Jones-Foxx said the scope of testing extends across the broader community.
Personal connection to the affected area
Nurse Sharon Jefferson, who grew up in the affected area, said the issue is personal for her.
“As for myself, I was born, raised, grew up in the area, so I feel it’s very important,” Jefferson said.
Jefferson cited higher cancer rates in the area and her own experiences growing up there as reasons she is involved.
“From the water usage, from playing in the soil, we had our gardens, we grew our vegetables in that, watered with that, swam in that — so that’s why I feel it’s very important,” Jefferson said.
Upcoming testing event
The Wichita Black Nurses Association will hold its next free testing event Saturday at Holy Savior Catholic Church on North Chautauqua from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All screenings are free of charge.
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