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Huron Development Landfill PFAS: The Role of MDHHS

Huron Development Landfill PFAS: The Role of MDHHS. Gary Klase Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Division of Environmental Health. 1. What Are PFAS?. What are PFAS Chemicals?. PFAS are a family of chemicals used widely in industry and consumer goods

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Huron Development Landfill PFAS: The Role of MDHHS

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  1. Huron Development Landfill PFAS:The Role of MDHHS Gary Klase Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Division of Environmental Health 1

  2. What Are PFAS?

  3. What are PFAS Chemicals? • PFAS are a family of chemicals used widely in industry and consumer goods • Waterproof, grease proof, very stable • Includes PFOS, PFOA, and others • Used for: • Stain-resistant clothing, upholstery, carpet • Non-stick cookware • Food wrappers • Fire-fighting foam • Manufacturing electronics • Protecting workers from dangerous vapors • And many more applications

  4. Who has been exposed to PFAS? PFAS have been used widely in industry and in consumer goods Most people have been exposed to PFAS Most people have low levels of PFAS in their blood Blood levels of PFAS have been coming down as these chemicals are phased out

  5. Blood Levels of the Most Common PFAS in People in the U.S. from 2000-2014

  6. What are the Health Effects of PFAS? • Exposure to high levels of PFAS chemicals have been associated with certain health effects, including: • Decreased chance of pregnancy • Increased chance of high blood pressure during pregnancy • Increased chance of thyroid disease • Changed immune response • Increased cholesterol levels • Increased risk of some types of cancers (kidney, testicular) • “Having PFAS exposure or PFAS in your body does not mean you will necessarily have health problems now or in the future. Most people in health studies do not have health effects, even when exposed to high amounts of PFAS.” (PFAS Exposure and Your Health; MDHHS 2019)

  7. What is being done in your community?

  8. What is being done? • Testing has already been conducted at the landfill • PFAS chemicals are present in the landfill • EGLE has requested support by MDHHS and SCCHD • Team effort to review available information • Data shows that wells are not likely to be impacted at this site • Team agrees that testing wells is a prudent course of action • To provide certainty for residents, community

  9. MDHHS/SCCHD are Here To… • Understand the health concerns facing your community • Provide public health information and advice • Develop a plan to investigate and address health risks • EGLE leads the site investigation • MDHHS and St. Clair County Health Department lead the public health planning and response • Evaluate PFAS results for residential wells • Recommending public health actions as needed

  10. How Are Decisions Made? • Nearby residential wells will be tested for presence of PFAS chemicals • Key point: The data is evaluatedalong with other knowledge • We use screening levels and advisory levels to guide our decisions • USEPA Lifetime Health Advisory • MDHHS Public Health Screening Levels • Residential Well Results (individually and collectively) • Site-specific information (e.g., source, geology, etc.)

  11. MDHHS Public Health Screening Levels

  12. What are PFAS public health drinking water screening levels? • PFAS public health drinking water screening levels • Health-based • Protective of fetus and breastfed infants • Also protective of formula-fed infants and other ages • Used to determine if further evaluation of PFAS is needed • Used to determine if public health actions are needed • Non-regulatory

  13. Bottled Water / Filters • If PFAS levels are elevated, bottled water and/or filters will be provided to ensure clean drinking water for residents • Filters may also be provided if PFAS levels are low, but additional time is needed for the investigation • Ensures that drinking water is protected if PFAS levels fluctuate during the investigation

  14. Can I Still Use My Water? • If PFAS levels are high, water should not be consumed, including: • Drinking (people and pets) • Cooking • Canning • Making formula • But water may still be used around the household: • Bathing • Laundry • Cleaning • Washing dishes • (Skin contact OK)

  15. Lake St. Clair Fish Low levels of PFAS have been found in Lake St. Clair sunfish Consumption should be limited to 4 meals per month More info available at Michigan.gov/pfasresponse/

  16. Lake St. Clair Eat Safe Fish guidelines

  17. How Can I Learn More? • Please contact us with any questions you may have! • PFAS and your health • Questions about bottled water or filters • Site updates Gary Klase MDHHS Toxicologist (517) 284-9024 klaseg@Michigan.gov

  18. Additional Resources • Michigan Toxics Hotline 1-800-MI-TOXIC • Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART)www.michigan.gov/pfasresponse • US Environmental Protection Agency(USEPA)www.epa.gov/pfas • Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/

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