Governor Rick Snyder signed an executive directive yesterday to deal with PFAS and PFC contamination around the state.
Snyder has established a task force called the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team, which will coordinate efforts by local, state and federal agencies to keep residents safe from these chemicals.
“To safeguard Michiganders from this emerging contaminant, it’s critical that responding agencies at all levels are effectively communicating and coordinating efforts,” Snyder said in a statement. “This team will be instrumental in establishing protocols and best practices that will allow all partners to comprehensively address these contaminants across Michigan.”
Residents in Plainfield Township near Grand Rapids are dealing with well water contamination because of these chemicals. But Dale George, the public information officer with the task force, says these chemicals are more common than some might think.
“People all over the country are exposed to these chemicals in several ways, so it’s really difficult to find one solution to all the exposures,” George said.
State and federal agencies are still doing a lot of research about these chemicals and their effects on the human body, but George says “Michigan isn't waiting until the research is complete to take action.”
According to the Kent County Health Department, PFAS and PFCs have been linked to two forms of cancer, testicular and kidney, among other health issues.
For more information about MPART, you can visit michigan.gov/PFASresponse.
