Read the full article by Micheal Kransz
“GRAND HAVEN, MI — The water supply serving Grand Haven and surrounding municipalities contains toxic per- and polyfluorinated compounds called PFAS.
Test results of Northwest Ottawa Water System municipal tap water show PFOS and PFOA, two PFAS compounds, at combined levels of 8 parts-per-trillion (ppt), which is below the Environmental Protection Agency health advisory level of 70-ppt.
Two other PFAS compounds detected were PFHpA at 5.5-ppt and PFHxA at 6.8-ppt. There are currently no federal health advisories for those compounds.
The combined total PFAS levels in Grand Haven water are 20.3-ppt.
Exposure to PFAS has been linked in human studies to some cancers, thyroid disorders, elevated cholesterol and other diseases. PFAS compounds are called ‘forever chemicals’ because they accumulate in the body and do not breakdown in the environment…
The water system serves about 40,000 people across Grand Haven, Grand Haven Township, Ferrysburg, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Township and Crockery Township.
Joseph A. VanderStel, the water facilities manager, said residents shouldn’t be concerned…
Katie Parrish, communications director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, said she would be concerned drinking the water.
‘I think, based on emerging science, there’s a large, growing body of evidence that the 70-ppt is to high,’ Parrish said.
Levels found in the Northwest Ottawa Water System are just below stricter exposure guidelines proposed in a new federal study. According to environmental chemists, the study’s suggested ‘minimum risk levels’ translate roughly to 7-ppt for PFOS and 11-ppt for PFOA.
NOWS had 4-ppt of PFOA and 4-ppt of PFOS.
NOWS draws its water from Lake Michigan about 800 to 1,000 feet offshore south of the Grand River mouth. VanderStel suspects the river is the source.”