Catch the latest updates on what’s happening with PFAS in the Great Lakes region. Check back for more PFAS news roundups every other week on our website.
On April 15, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) staff were told to cancel tens of millions of dollars worth of pending and active grants. According to The New York Times, this includes “about $8 million in grants that had been awarded to researchers studying how to prevent harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, from accumulating in crops and the food chain.” About one week later, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that in the next few weeks, the agency will update the public on its approach to PFAS and address water utility companies’ concerns.
According to reporting from The Lever, in the late hours of April 18, the EPA hid a data map tracking thousands of high-risk chemical facilities across the United States. This comes after additional reporting from Katya Schwenk about how chemical industry lobbyists sent a letter, shortly after President Trump’s inauguration, asking that the new administration take down the public records. EPA spokesperson Molly Vaseliou said in a statement to The Lever that they are re-evaluating the tool and regulations “to boost safety and competitiveness of American businesses.” This data was only made public last year.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) recently announced that it would monitor fish for “forever chemicals” at youth fishing events throughout the state. This will help gather data from 10 different water bodies for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ Eat Safe Fish program. Oscoda Township and Walled Lake Township were the first two events to work with EGLE. More are being scheduled for the 2025 season with the Hesse-Earl Youth Fishing Program, Brownstown Spring Fishing Derby and Harrison Township Fishing Derby coming up next.
According to Minnesota Public Radio, the Minnesota Department of Health updated its advice on freshwater fish consumption from certain lakes based on new data and guidelines. “The changes to the fish consumption guidelines affect about 44 water bodies in 10 counties, in both the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota,” wrote Kirsti Marohn. Long Meadow Lake in Hennepin County and Minnesota River Valley ponds had the strictest advisories saying no fish should not be eaten.
In honor of Earth Day, the New York State Senate passed a legislative package with a variety of environmental measures, including The PFAS Discharge Disclosure Act. This would require the monitoring of PFAS in industrial facilities that discharge wastewater and wastewater treatment plants.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) “are offering emergency drinking water for 50 additional households relying on private wells in the town of Peshtigo,” according to Wisconsin Public Radio. This comes after new drinking water advisories were issued in January along with updated health guidelines for PFAS in groundwater.
More PFAS news in case you missed it:
- The problem of acid rain — once something to be feared — has largely disappeared thanks to worldwide regulation. Now reporting shows the public has a new way to feel cautious around exposure to rainwater with microplastics and PFAS.
- The Southern Environmental Law Center recently “filed a court motion to intervene in a case brought against Chemours and its predecessor company DuPont,” to disclose sealed documents pertaining to PFAS, according to Coastal Review.
- A South Carolina textile mill gave farmers its sewage sludge for years as free fertilizer, now the soil is contaminated with “forever chemicals.”
- TFA, a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance, is being discovered in European wines at alarming rates. According to The Guardian, wines produced before 1988 show no trace of this chemical, and wines produced “after 2010 showed a steep rise in contamination.” Levels in organic wines tend to be lower.
- People in the Netherlands have been warned “not to eat homegrown eggs over forever chemicals fears. Earthworms may be the cause of PFAS entering the eggs, according to national public health institute.”
Catch more news at Great Lakes Now:
Susan Crawford’s Wisconsin Supreme Court win could be a win for PFAS
PFAS bill protecting utilities companies passes in Indiana House and Senate
Featured image: A worker’s gloved hand holds a test tube with a water sample. (Photo Credit: iStock)
