Cathy Wusterbarth was invited by Democratic Michigan Congressman Dan Kildee to attend the President’s State of the Union Address.
The Iosco County woman was recognized for her work on bringing attention to PFAS contamination near Wurtsmith Air Force Base in her hometown of Oscoda.
PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl substances are a class of chemicals linked to health problems in humans.
“I am so very grateful and it is an honor of a lifetime. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to elevate the PFAS issues that are so important to my family, my friends, the fellow clean water advocates and then the community,” said Wusterbarth.
She said she would like to meet with the EPA to talk about her concerns because PFAS are a concern for the entire state of Michigan.
“We don’t know whether these chemicals are the source of our alignments. These chemicals can cause immunological diseases, some cancers, thyroid diseases,” said Wusterbarth. “So imagine if you have one of those conditions and you don’t know whether your water is the cause of that.”