Michigan is a step closer to new maximum contaminant levels for PFAs chemicals.
The Environmental Rules Review Committee moved forward with new, lower levels for seven chemicals in the group on Thursday.
PFAs, or perfluoroalkyl substances, are a family of chemicals found across the state and linked to health problems including cancer.
The newly approved levels are considerably lower than federal health advisory levels. Some 2,700 new water suppliers will be covered under the new rules.
Laura Campbell with the Michigan Farm Bureau. She said there may be unintended consequences to the rule change. Campbell said farmers don’t have deep enough pockets to cover testing and treatment costs.
“The cost of implementing treatment if they find levels above those screening requirements or above the MCL allowances is substantial and they don’t have the ability to pass that cost on in any kind of non-painful way.”
Christy McGuillivray is with the Michigan Sierra Club. She said although she would like to see the levels dropped even lower, she’s happy the state made the decision to move forward.
“This is a really good first step and it does mean that affected citizens are going to see steps taken for clean up. Which is good!”
McGuillivray said the approval brings people across the state closer to better drinking water.
“We think that the citizens of Michigan that have not had access to clean safe drinking water are one step closer to having PFAs cleaned up.”
McGuillivray said she hopes the rules will move quickly through the rest of the rule-making process.
The rules will now go to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules to be finalized. They’re expected to take effect this spring.