Michigan’s new standards for PFAS chemicals took effect on Monday.
PFAs, or perfluoroalkyl substances, are a family of chemicals linked to cancer and other health problems in humans and found at sites across the state.
Michigan’s new drinking water standards for the chemical are stricter than the federal level of 70-parts per trillion
Scott Dean is a spokesperson for the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
“It’s an expansion of the PFAs investigations, clean up efforts across the state. This is all made possible by the state adopting the most comprehensive and protective standards for PFAs in drinking water anywhere in the nation.”
Dean said the new standards have opened PFAs investigations at 38 additional sites around the state.
“It really provides us with an important regulatory tool that will allow us to expand our mission and protect more Michiganders from these contaminants.”
Deans said many of the new sites are landfills or former manufacturing sites already under investigation for other chemical contaminants.