PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of widespread man-made chemicals that don’t break down in the environment or the human body and have been flagged as a major contaminant in sources of water across the country.
Keep up with PFAS-related developments in the Great Lakes area.
Click on the headline to read the full story:
Michigan:
- PFAS contamination at Lansing airport under investigation – Lansing State Journal
An investigation is ongoing to assess potential PFAS contamination at the Capital Region International Airport.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy last week added the airport to a list of sites across the state where contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, have potentially impacted drinking water. Preliminary sampling at the site has not found any drinking water contamination, according to EGLE.
A bill from state Sen. Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, would push back the statute of limitations for suing over exposure to certain hazardous substances like PFAS. No Republicans have signed on as sponsors, but Brinks says the proposal is necessary to hold polluters accountable.
Pennsylvania:
- Environmental advocates applaud EPA plan to address PFAS, but say more is needed – The Allegheny Front
“EPA is certainly taking a much more comprehensive approach than any administration in the past at the federal level,” said Tracy Carluccio of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network. “It engages many federal agencies and it has a lot of potential to address the problems.”
But she and others are not satisfied with the timeline of the plan.
Wisconsin:
- As the EPA pursues PFAS standards, industry and residents are at odds over state regulation – Wisconsin Public Radio
Wisconsin residents affected by PFAS contamination say the Biden administration’s recently announced strategy to address harmful forever chemicals doesn’t go far enough and highlights the need for state standards. But industry officials argue state regulators should wait for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to set federal drinking water regulations.
- PFAS advisory group highlights federal moves on clean up – Wisconsin Examiner
The Department of Natural Resources PFAS External Advisory Group had a meeting Friday to go over the state’s efforts to combat PFAS contamination state-wide. The advisory group reviewed federal updates involving American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and the state’s own program to replace PFAS-containing firefighting foams.
- DNR orders Tyco to do more testing, investigating of PFAS contamination near farm fields – Wisconsin Public Radio
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is demanding that a Marinette manufacturer of firefighting foam do more testing and investigate PFAS contamination near farms in northeastern Wisconsin. State environmental regulators want to know the scope of contamination stemming from sewage sludge that was spread on dozens of farm fields.
National:
- How Chemical Companies Avoid Paying for Pollution – The New York Times
DuPont factories pumped dangerous substances into the environment. The company and its offspring have gone to great lengths to dodge responsibility.
After years of delay, the EPA is moving to regulate industrial chemicals linked to cancer and other health problems. Companies will have to disclose the amount found in many household items.
Catch up on more PFAS news on Great Lakes Now:
Raining PFAS: Amount of PFAS found is outpacing legacy contaminants
Featured image: Sign warning for environmental contamination (Great Lakes Now Episode 1012)
