In case you’re feeling brave enough to venture into the water this unseasonably cool Memorial Day weekend, the state Department of Health and Human Services wants you to stay away from the foam.
The state health department said in some lakes and rivers, foam could contain PFAS chemicals.
Those compounds have often been used in firefighting foams, but in some places in Michigan, they’ve leached into the groundwater and made their way to lakes and rivers.
PFAS can build up in the body over time, and they’ve been linked to cancer and developmental problems.
Fortunately, the health department said, the skin is not very good at absorbing PFAS, so a good rinse after any exposure should be a good way to minimize the risk.