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Scientists are looking to learn about how PFAS effects the human body

"Army scientists energize battery research" by U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

People exposed to PFAS in their drinking water can help scientists learn more about how the toxic chemicals affect the human body.

That’s the message from the state health department. It’s encouraging people in the City of Parchment and Cooper Township in Kalamazoo County, and the Belmont and Rockford area in Kent County, to enroll in a study.

Researchers will track participants’ health for several years. State toxicologist Jordan Bailey says the study will be thorough:

"We are going to be quantifying many PFAS in these blood samples," said Bailey. "So not just PFOA or PFOS. We will have many PFAS that are quantified."

Bailey says about 130 people have signed up so far. But the state is hoping thousands will enroll.