It’s a curious acronym — PFAS — and it stands for a family of chemicals that’s in most homes and being detected in an increasing number of people’s water systems in Michigan and other states and provinces.
Short for per- or polyfluoroalkyl, these industrial chemicals have been linked to fertility issues, high cholesterol, thyroid and liver problems, and certain cancers. And from where they’re used in our waterproof clothing, non-stick cookware, food packaging, and industrial waste, they’ve moved into our home water supplies, our wells, and our communities’ water systems. They’ve also been detected in the Great Lakes.
Once they’re in people’s systems and the environment, they stay there for a long time. Research is only beginning to determine the health effects and what, if any, treatment there might be.
Click on the player to watch a 1-minute explanation of the PFAS chemicals.
Have a question about the PFAS chemicals and how they relate to your health, safety or water supply?
Ask Great Lakes Now your PFAS question. If we can answer it, we might loop it into our coverage so others can learn too.
Good news for Michigan smelt season: PFAS levels lower than feared
State officials warned against eating too much of the silvery panfish due to high PFAS levels. Scientists now say that was an error, but aren’t yet ready to abandon fish consumption advisories altogether.
PFAS News Roundup: Landmark EPA decision implements first nation-wide PFAS limit in drinking water
Catch the latest updates on what’s happening with PFAS in this biweekly headline roundup.
PFAS News Roundup: MIT chemists designed a sensor that detects PFAS
Catch the latest updates on what’s happening with PFAS in this biweekly headline roundup.
Efforts to thwart regulation of PFAS polluters move down parallel tracks
A divided Wisconsin Court of Appeals upheld a ruling that limited the DNR’s ability to regulate PFAS and other contaminants. The case is one of two efforts to weaken the spills law.
PFAS News Roundup: Indiana senators scrap bill that would change definition of polyfluoroalkyl substances in favor of manufacturers
Catch the latest updates on what’s happening with PFAS in this biweekly headline roundup.
PFAS News Roundup: CDC encourages doctors to start testing for PFAS
Catch the latest updates on what’s happening with PFAS in this biweekly headline roundup.
PFAS News Roundup: Researchers fear PFAS factory air emissions contribute to widespread contamination in North Carolina
Catch the latest updates on what’s happening with PFAS in this biweekly headline roundup.
Defense Department to again target ‘forever chemicals’ contamination near Michigan military base
The U.S. Department of Defense plans to install two more groundwater treatment systems at a former Michigan military base to control contamination from forever chemicals.
