“Officially called perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, the industrial chemicals were once used to manufacture everything from clothing to firefighting foam. Now, regulators believe they threaten public health.
The state Department of Environmental Quality has flagged PFAS contamination in 14 communities. In some cases, the chemicals have seeped into drinking water. In November, Gov. Rick Snyder formed a “Michigan PFAS Action Response Team,” and lawmakers last month allocated more than $23 million for a challenge that may only grow tougher as officials learn more.
‘They’ve barely wrapped their head around the extent of PFAS contamination,’ said Charlotte Jameson, a policy expert with the Michigan Environmental Council, a Lansing-based advocacy group.
The map above highlights all 14 communities and contains a brief summary of what is known about each. The sites range as far north as Marquette County’s decommissioned K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base, all the way down to southeast Michigan.”
Check out the interactive map & full article by Jim Malewitz and Mike Wilkinson.