A new report finds PFAS contamination in about one in ten public water systems in Michigan.
PFAS compounds (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been linked to serious health problems. The chemicals were used in a variety of products, from firefighting foam to food packaging.
And in recent years, PFAS has been turning up in people’s drinking water in Michigan.
Last year, Michigan’s PFAS Action Response Team tested 1,723 public water systems around the state, serving nearly 80% of state residents. Samples were collected from community water supplies, schools on their own well, child care providers (and MI Head Start programs) on their own well, and tribal water systems. The sampling tested the water for 14 different PFAS compounds.
90% of the systems tested showed no detectable levels of PFAS.
7% showed levels below 10 parts per trillion.
3% tested at between 10 and 70 parts per trillion. The city of Parchment and an elementary school near Grand Haven tested above the federal action level (70PPT).
The state is conducting follow testing in systems with detectable levels of PFAS.
