PFAS

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Cascade Area Page MPART Page EGLE Lead Lead Email Lead Phone
Hillsboro Social-Circle-MPART.png Brent Ritchie ritchieb1@michigan.gov 616.581.1782
Burger/Goodwood Social-Circle-MPART.png Brent Ritchie ritchieb1@michigan.gov 616.581.1782
Lacks Industries Social-Circle-MPART.png Nicole Sanabria sanabrian@michigan.gov 517.281.7726

What is PFAS? 
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances – are a group of human-made chemicals that have been manufactured and used since the 1940s. They are used in various industries, from fast food to cookware to firefighting, and are known for their water, oil, fat, and grease repelling qualities. They are hard to break down, build up in our bodies (bioaccumulate), and have been linked to certain types of cancers and other health issues.
PFAS Action Resources
 
  • Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
    • ​Information on MPART sites and private well sampling
    • Phone: 1.800.662.9278, Environmental Assistance Center
  • Citizens Advisory Workgroup 
    • Made up of residents from impacted communities
    • Recommend how to engage and empower communities and educate the general public.
  • Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
    • ​Information regarding possible health effects of PFAS and PFOA
    • Phone: 1.800.662.9278
  • Kent County Health Department
    • Information on wells and possible health effects of PFAS and PFOA
    • For well water questions related to PFAS, call 616.632.7100.
    • For well water questions unrelated to PFAS, call 616.632.6900. 
    • Email: kcpfas@kentcountymi.gov
  • Cascade Charter Township Social Media
  • Cascade Township PFAS Citizens Committee
    • Agendas/Packets - This committee meets the first Thursday of every other month at 4:00 p.m. at the Cascade Township Office (5920 Tahoe Dr. SE).
    • The committee is currently made up of citizens from and is focused on the Burger/Goodwood remediation project, but the Township is looking to expand to include the Hillsboro AOI.
What does PFAS exposure impact?
  • Reduced fertility
  • High blood pressure (pre-eclampsia in pregnancy)
  • Small decreases in infant birth weight
  • Higher cholesterol
  • Thyroid disease
  • Liver damage
  • Decreased immune response to vaccines
  • Developing certain types of cancer (particularly kidney and testicular)
Compound Michigan Standards Uses
PFNA 6 pptI In production of non-stick, stain repellent, and chemically inert coatings.
PFOA 8 ppt In non-stick and stain-resistant consumer products, food packaging, fire-fighting foam, and industrial processes.
PFOS 16 ppt Resistant to stains, grease, soil, and water.  Carpets/rugs, upholstered furniture, non-stick cookware, and leather products.  Firefighting foams used at airports, firefighter training facilities, and military airfields.
PFHxS 51 ppt Used in water- and stain-protective coatings for products such as carpets, textiles, paper, packaging, textiles, and electronics.  Used in other industrial fluids or water-proofing agents. Used in aqueous film-forming foam for fire suppression.
GenX (HFPO-DA) 370 ppt Aid in manufacturing of fluoropolymers.  Fluoropolymers are used in making semiconductors, automobiles, airplanes, and the functioning of electronics, communication systems, and green hydrogen.
PFBS 420 ppt Used as a replacement for PFAS.
PFHxA 400,000 ppt Used in stain-resistant fabrics, paper food packaging, and carpets; it is also used for manufacturing photographic film.
 
Useful Links

 State of Michigan PFAS Action Response Team
 PFAS Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) in Michigan
 Michigan Science Advisory Workgroup Report