A water well in Grand Traverse County has tested positive for trace amounts of PFAs, chemical compounds linked to adverse health effects.
The site, where a tire fire in 1995 resulted in the use of fire fighting foams containing PFAs, is one of more than thirty known sites across the state being tested by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
A test on a well near the local elementary school came back with a non-detect for PFAs contamination.
Dan Thorell, Environmental Health Director for the Grand Traverse County Health Department, said a residential well they tested came back with 6 parts per trillion.
“To put that in perspective the EPA currently has a health advisory limit of 70 parts per trillion.”
Earlier this year a study from the Center for Disease Control suggested that a safe PFAs level was much lower - between 7-10 parts per trillion.
Thorell said the DEQ will be testing 35 other residential wells in Mid-August.
“Basically we’re just trying to determine the extent of the contamination right now. I think going forward and doing the additional sampling we’re going to get a lot better idea of the contamination that is in the area.”
He said in the meantime residents will have access to bottled water and filters.