PFAS Contamination; Michigan and contaminated drinking water

I'm in the environmental (soil/groundwater) industry, and we are beginning to test for PFAS. I can PM you some documentation about PFAS. Keep in mind that the primary source of exposure is drinking water. If someone is on municipal water, chances are they are not significantly exposed as nearly every municipal water system is run through carbon filters. Also note that we're talking concentrations of PFAS in the parts-per-TRILLION. Concentrations so low that labs have just begun to be able to reliably detect. In fact, there isn't a specific analysis to be run for PFAS... the accepted method is merely a modification of another method.

It now appears that Michigan has more PFAS contamination in water than any other state. --- They probably have just tested more. NYS is currently testing all their brownfield sites.

I've just remembered that back in the late 1980s, the wife of an Army officer friend who lived on base at Selfridge raised the issue that both she and a friend developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Her friend lived on base as well. They were wondering then if there was some contaminant that had affected both. The article doesn't address gestational diabetes and PFAS, but I'm going to check it out. --- Gestational diabetes isn't uncommon. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if two women on-base had it. Plus, what would be their unique exposure and what would the level of that exposure be? (Note: If they were firefighters, I could definitely see that as a potential exposure)

How many millions, if not trillions of people might be affected? 712 documented contaminated sites have apparently been identified. See the map in the cited article. --- We are all exposed. But are we exposed to a dangerous level? Probably not, or sickness would be more pronounced.

I wonder how much of the 911 Responders' illnesses and deaths are specifically due to PFAS exposure, from all the firefighting done on scene, since the compound is related to firefighting materials. --- Close to zero. There's no reason they were exposed to more PFAS than any other firefighters. The primary issues with 911 first responders have been dust-related.

Thinking about remediation, if it's possible, does anyone use filtered water at home? If so, what kind of filter do you use? Have you had your water tested before and after installation of the filter? --- Simple carbon filtration (i.e. - Brita) has been shown to be effective.

What about bottled water? Since it's in plastic bottles, I haven't felt that it was a desirable option. But does anyone know of bottled water that isn't in plastic bottles? --- The plastic itself should be fine. The water itself would need to be tested (and bottled water companies aren't required to test their water for PFAS or other chemicals). If someone drinks from a teflon-coated bottle, or teflon coated straw, there is the possibility of exposure.

Any other thoughts or suggestions on mitigating the damage already done and protecting myself in the future? (Besides escaping Michigan). (This doesn't bode well for Michigan tourism.) 

--- Check to see if your municipality analyzes for PFAS (in their required annual water quality report). If you're on well water, get a carbon filter... either household (at your house main) or point-source (at the faucet of your potable water).

--- Use soft utensils with teflon-coated cookware, and throw out cookware if the coating is in poor condition.

--- Replace old, worn "Scotch-guarded" carpets with new (released fibers could possibly be ingested). Don't get coated carpets if you're really worried about exposure.

EPA PFAS page... www.epa.gov/pfas/basic-information-pfas

Other relevant documents:
pfas-1.itrcweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/pfas_fact_sheet_history_and_use__11_13_17.pdf

www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-02/documents/pfas_action_plan_021319_508compliant_1.pdf

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfc/docs/pfas_fact_sheet.pdf

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/docs/pfas_clinician_fact_sheet_508.pdf

Note that info is changing almost weekly.

walkswithblackflies , I printed out all of the cites you gave except the third one (72 pages long), which I'll read after the others.

The last one, focusing on the medical community's approach, was very helpful, and practical. I've sent the link to my niece who's a nurse, studying for her NP degree, and who frequently works in the NiCU in addition to her ER job. I think she'd be interested in knowing how it can affect babies.

The links are all professional level and more helpful than the sometimes inflammatory 6 pm news reports, which rarely delve into much beyond the basics.   

As I suspected. At least Michigan is forthcoming about their results.

[New York] State officials refuse to share test results from 135 PFAS-tainted sources despite public health risk

At least 135 public water systems across the state are contaminated with cancer-causing chemicals known as PFAS at levels above recommended thresholds for mandatory cleanup, according to state water sampling data.

And more than four times that many — 645 facilities, the state Department of Health estimates — will need to spend an average of $1.325 million each on upgrades if the Cuomo Administration adopts the thresholds and makes them enforceable as expected by late next year.

But hundreds of thousands of people who currently drink PFAS-tainted tap water from those compromised sources are in the dark about the health dangers because state officials aren’t sharing their sampling data with the public.

That policy of secrecy echos the official reaction several years ago to evidence of PFAS contamination in Hoosick Falls, said Elizabeth Moran, environmental policy director for New York Public Interest Research Group.

Hoosick Falls drew nationwide attention in when it belatedly ordered a drinking water ban in early 2016 — long after state and local officials knew about dangerously elevated levels of PFOA, a common PFAS compound. State agencies “knew but didn’t inform the public” for 18 months before the federal Environmental Protection Agency ordered public disclosure, Moran added.

fingerlakes1.com/2019/05/07/state-officials-refuses-to-share-test-results-from-135-pfas-tainted-sources-despite-public-health-risk/

Correct. I didn't get into manufacture/use because that should already be addressed by OSHA.

I just want to reiterate that the testing done to date shows that PFAS does not readily absorb through skin. (And I'm not saying that you were suggesting so)

Another scorched earth tactic from Trump the Destroyer.

I recently read this article about this horror in Michigan:

www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/04/25/pfas-contamination-michigan-water/3301354002/

I'm almost ready to think that being a Borg could be a saving method to stay alive in this world we're all facing.    Trump needs to live in one of the contaminated areas and experience what toxins in water are like for himself.   Or let his kid grow in up a community with contaminated water and/or air.   

Thanks for bumping this up.

I watched "Dark Waters" a few weeks ago. I don't think I had any clue that it went back as far as it did. Dupont is a seriously disgusting company.