Michigan LCV: PFAS water study highlights need for legislative action

LANSING – The Michigan League of Conservation Voters (Michigan LCV) today issued the following statement after the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) announced the completion of a study that tested public water systems and school wells across the state for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

The MDEQ report found 7 percent of systems tested had PFAS levels below 10 parts per trillion (ppt) and 3 percent had levels ranging from 10 to 70 ppt. Numerous studies have shown that exposure to even low levels of PFAS chemicals is linked to various diseases and illnesses.

“Toxic PFAS chemicals build up in our bodies so even low amounts are extremely dangerous to our health. The MDEQ’s report should serve as a wakeup call to the Legislature to take swift, bold action to ensure all Michigan communities have safe, clean drinking water,” said Bob Allison, deputy director of Michigan LCV. “We can’t settle with just being ‘first in the nation’ in testing. We should be first in the nation in tackling this problem head-on. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle should work together with the Whitmer administration to pass a science-based, enforceable drinking water standard for PFAS to protect the health of Michigan communities.”

Michigan currently does not have a drinking water standard for PFAS. Instead, a 70 parts per trillion EPA advisory level is used to identify contamination. According to numerous scientific studies, 70 parts per trillion is five to six times higher than what is considered safe. Legislation has been introduced that would set a state standard of 5 parts per trillion, but has yet to move out of committee.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, Feb. 25, 2019

Contact: Katie Parrish, Communications Director, (239) 537-9507