Read the full article by Ron Fonger (MLive)
“Toxic fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS are now confirmed or suspected in ground and surface water at 678 military installations, including 16 in Michigan, according to a new analysis by the Environmental Working Group.
Representatives of EWG and U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint, reviewed the findings, which relied on Defense Department records, in a video conference call with reporters on Thursday, April 2.
EWG officials said they have so far confirmed PFAS in the tap water or groundwater at 328 of the 678 military installations, including nine in Michigan. They said 28 bases had PFAS in drinking water at levels above those set by some state regulators, including Grand Ledge Army Aviation Support in Clinton County.
‘With this report, more and more members of Congress are going to be hearing about this …,’ Kildee said. ‘Nobody … should ever have to worry about the water that they drink.’
Active and closed military installations have been suspected locations of PFAS contamination due to the use of fire-fighting foam that contained the chemicals during training exercises and fires. In addition to the military sites, contamination has also been found in drinking water supplies and in the environment elsewhere at levels higher than the federal guideline.
Because that national guideline is not enforceable, states like Michigan, New Jersey and Vermont are enacting their own regulations.
PFAS are called ‘forever chemicals’ because they don’t break down in the environment. Research shows they increase the risk of cancer, kidney disease, thyroid conditions and auto-immune disorders. They also bioaccumulate, absorbing in a body faster than they’re eliminated.
The EWG analysis included 16 military installations in Michigan, nine of which showed confirmed discharges of PFAS and seven more with suspected discharges…”