Michigan recently surpassed 300 known sites with PFAS contamination. As more sites are identified and researchers continue to learn about the health impacts, we’re here to answer YOUR questions.
WCMU’s environmental reporter Teresa Homsi will tap into her reporting and address concerns about PFAS in drinking water, food, and consumer products, how cleanup efforts work and what protections are in place in Michigan and at the federal level.
There's a few ways you can send us your questions:
- Email us with the subject line "PFAS question" to news@wcmu.org
- Leave us a voicemail at 231-818-8662
- Leave us a voice memo HERE
When you reach out, please note your name and city and know that you're consenting to that information being shared over the radio and on our digital platforms. For a PFAS primer, check out the short Q&A below.
What are PFAS?
Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS are a group of approximately 15,000 synthetic chemicals that have been widely used since the 1950s to make stain, grease and water-resistant products. PFAS are found in a variety of consumer products like food packaging, non-stick cookware and carpets. They are also used in AFFF firefighting foam that can put out fires involving gasoline or jet fuel.
PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” because they do not readily break down in our environment. They are also widely found. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that at least 45% of the nation’s tap water contains at least one type of PFAS compound. Some studies report that 99% of humans, including fetuses, have measurable levels in their bloodstream. These chemicals have even been detected in remote places like the Arctic Circle or deep in the ocean.
What are the health impacts of PFAS?
People can be exposed to PFAS in a variety of ways such as working in high hazard occupations like firefighting or chemical manufacturing, drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food. Most policy has focused on PFAS in drinking water as an exposure pathway.
PFAS exposure is associated with several cancers including kidney, breast, testicular and prostate cancers. Some studies show that PFAS exposure can lead to reproductive effects like decreased fertility, developmental delays in children and weakened immune systems like reduced vaccine effectiveness. There is still growing research on the long-term health impacts of PFAS exposure at low levels, especially in children.
In 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency released its updated PFAS health advisories that set a guidance for contaminant levels in drinking water over a “lifetime” of use. PFOA is set at 0.004 parts per trillion and PFOS is set at 0.02 ppt, which is lower than most lab equipment can detect.
What are the regulations for PFAS in different water sources?
Michigan has set maximum contaminant levels for seven different PFAS compounds in drinking water. These levels apply to roughly 2,700 public drinking water supplies in the state, and municipal water suppliers are required to regularly test water, notify the public of violations and implement treatment systems if necessary. The state of Michigan also has PFAS cleanup criteria for groundwater and water quality values for surface waters.
In 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency announced federal drinking water standards for six PFAS chemicals. These apply to public water systems, and municipal suppliers have until 2027 to test their water and until 2029 to be in compliance with the standards.
