Consumer Reports finds โforever chemicalsโ in milk samples
In April, the Environmental Protection Agency put new limits on PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, in drinking waterโa step that could potentially reduce exposure to the chemicals and their health risks for approximately 100 million Americans.
EPA designates 2 forever chemicals as hazardous substances, eligible for Superfund cleanup
A group that represents the chemical industry says it strongly opposes the Environmental Protection Agency's designation of two forever chemicals used in cookware, carpets and firefighting foams as hazardous substances.
Fast-food wrappers that contain PFAS are no longer sold in the US, the FDA says
Fast-food wrappers and packaging that contain so-called forever chemicals are no longer being sold in the U.S. The Food and Drug Administration says the voluntary effort that began in 2020 between the agency and U.S. food manufacturers has been completed.
Belgium-based Solvay to pay $393M to clean up and compensate for PFAS contamination in New Jersey
A Belgium-based chemical company will spend nearly $393 million under a settlement to clean up contamination from its so-called forever chemicals in New Jerseyโs drinking water and soil and to compensate for the environmental damage they caused.
Paper manufacturer sued by Michigan AG for release of PFAS โforever chemicalsโ in St. Clair County
The Michigan Department of Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against a paper manufacturer over the release of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as โforever chemicals,โ from its manufacturing processes.
Grand Rapids property owners settle PFAS case for $54 million against Wolverine Worldwide
A judge has given tentative approval to a $54 million settlement involving 3M Co., a shoe manufacturer and property owners in western Michigan who said their land and wells were contaminated by toxic โforever chemicals.โ
University of Michigan recruiting subjects for study that showcases contaminant exposure
Over the years in Michigan, weโve seen many situations where people have been exposed to contaminants in the environment that can harm their health. Now a statewide study is in the works to better understand the impact of that exposure.
State officials remind hunters not to eat venison from deer taken within 5 miles of Clarkโs Marsh in Oscoda Township
OSCODA TOWNSHIP, Mich. โ The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Natural Resources are reminding hunters not to eat venison from deer taken within five miles of Clarkโs Marsh in Oscoda Township. Officials say evidence suggests that Clarkโs Marsh is highly contaminated with PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). MDHHS recommends a Do Not Eat advisory for all fish and wildlife taken for consumption from the marsh. The area is under multiple do not eat advisories. If you have health questions about eating deer or other wildlife, or about the health risks associated with PFAS, contact MDHHS at 800-648-6942.
Officials: โDo Not Eatโ fish, PFAS advisory for Huron River, connected waterbodies in effect
ANN ARBOR, Mich. โ Michigan health officials are reminding residents to continue following โDo Not Eatโ and โAvoid Foamโ advisories for the Huron River and connected waterbodies. MDHHS said everyone should avoid eating fish from the Huron River and several connected waterbodies, and avoid foam on Michigan lakes and rivers known to have per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the water. Fish advisoryThe โDo not Eatโ fish advisory is based on perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) fish data from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). In August 2018, MDHHS issued a โDo Not Eatโ advisory for fish from the Huron River where North Wixom Road crosses into Oakland County to the mouth of the Huron River as it enters Lake Erie in Wayne County. While the state does not have data from Huron River foam, the advisory was issued as a precaution given the available Huron River surface water and fish data.
Michigan files lawsuit against 17 defendants for PFAS contamination
LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Washtenaw County Circuit Court against 17 defendants for damages and injury to the state caused by contamination caused by PFAS. Hereโs what you should knowThe lawsuit is the first legal action taken by Michigan against PFAS manufacturers. The lawsuit accuses 17 defendants of deliberately concealing the dangers of PFAS and withholding scientific evidence. โMichigan has been established as a national leader in identifying, monitoring and addressing contamination caused by PFAS. Whitmer and I take every legal and regulatory action necessary to protect the people and natural resources of our state.โ
Sanders says he'll enact national drinking water standards
CONCORD, NH โ Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders said Tuesday that he would enact federal drinking water standards for a group of toxic chemicals that have caused widespread contamination in New Hampshire and other states. Sanders, a Vermont senator, said instead of spending millions on lawsuits to gut clean water rules, such companies should be paying to clean up contamination. He said as president, he will create national clean water standards for PFAS and other chemicals in an effort to guarantee clean drinking water โas a human right.โโCorporate greed is threatening one of the most basic necessities of life: clean water,โ he said in a statement. โNot only will we support state efforts to enforce stronger clean water laws, we are going to create federal clean water standards that force these companies to clean up their mess.โMore than 700 homes in New Hampshire whose drinking water was contaminated by PFAS have been connected to new water, and the state estimates that more than 100,000 other people eventually could be affected. 3M Co., based in St. Paul, Minnesota, said in a statement Tuesday that it โsupports appropriate science-based regulations of PFASโ and therefore backs โconsideration of an enforceable, science-based national drinking water standard" for the toxic chemicals.
DNR: Consumption guidelines not needed for deer from Proud Lake Recreation Area in Oakland County
OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. - Consumption guidelines aren't needed for deer harvested from the Proud Lake Recreation Area in Oakland County, the Department of Natural Resources announced Wednesday. Samples of muscles, livers, kidneys and hearts were taken from 20 white-tailed deer harvested within 5 miles of Norton Creek in the Proud Lake Recreation Area in April. The samples were tested for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. In liver and kidney samples, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) was the only type of PFAS found. The testing was prompted after PFOS was found in surface water and fish tissue samples taken from the Huron River watershed in August 2018.
Drinking water in California contaminated with toxic PFAS, report says
iStock/Elenathewise(CNN) - Chemical contaminants were detected in water sources serving more than 7 million Californians, according to a new report by the Environmental Working Group. The nonprofit, which describes itself as "dedicated to protecting human health and the environment," found that water sources for 74 community water systems -- serving 7.5 million people in California -- have been contaminated with PFAS chemicals. The EPA issues drinking water advisories when PFAS levels are at or above 70 parts per trillion. Earlier this month, Denmark became the first country to ban PFAS chemicals. Gavin Newsom signed a law, to go into effect in 2020, allowing the state board to order public water systems to monitor for PFAS chemicals, and requiring community water systems to report detections.
$1.4 million approved to dispose of PFAS-containing firefighting foam in Michigan
DETROIT - The state of Michigan has approved $1.4 million for the collection and disposal of PFAS-containing aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). The Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy procurement office awarded US.. Ecology of Livonia a seven-month, $1,441,671 contract to collect and safely dispose of more than 30,000 gallons of Class B AFFF. The AFFF was identified through a 2018 MPART initiative to survey and educate fire departments through Michigan on how to use and clean up PFAS-containing firefighting foam. There were 326 fire departments identified with Class B AFFF in their inventories out of the 762 that were surveyed. The Class B AFFF liquid that is collected from fire departments in Michigan will be transported to a hazardous waste facility in Belleville, where it will be solidified and disposed of in the landfill.
Scientists advise Michigan to set tougher PFAS standards
LANSING, Mich. - Scientists are urging Michigan to adopt some of the strictest and most far-reaching drinking water standards for forever chemicals in the country. A state team responding to contamination from compounds known as PFAS heard from its science advisory workgroup Thursday. The three scientists recommended health-based values for seven types of PFAS. Gretchen Whitmers administration will use the recommended values while writing rules for PFAS standards by April 2020. The compounds have been dubbed forever chemicals because they take thousands of years to degrade, and because some accumulate in peoples bodies.