Report: Toxins from nonstick chemicals in drinking water of 15M nationwide
6/8/2017 - Detroit Free Press
A new study released today by the nonprofit Environmental Working Group and Northeastern University in Boston shows harmful types of PFCs, known as PFOA or PFOS, can be found in drinking water systems in 27 U.S. states and in the tap water supplies of 15 million people.
"It's a much larger number than we thought before," said Bill Walker, managing editor of Environmental Working Group.
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The water pollution comes from former industrial sites, current and shuttered military bases, and in many cases from unknown sources. In Michigan, five water supplies have been found with PFCs:
The city of Ann Arbor, from an unspecified source. The city of Flint, where the compounds likely come from industrial sources that have polluted the Flint River. Plainfield Township in Kent County, just outside of Grand Rapids, where a long-closed landfill is the suspected source of contamination. Two military bases: Camp Grayling, training site for the Michigan National Guard; and the now-shuttered Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda. Firefighting foam containing the chemicals was used for years at both military facilities.
http://www.freep.com/story/news/2017/06/08/report-toxins-drinking-water-15-m-nationwide/377633001/
Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor says:
Ann Arbor drinking water is safe and we will keep it that way.
We have been monitoring the compounds identified in this article for years and have shared this information with residents in our Annual Water Quality Report. The amounts detected are almost 10 times lower than the EPA health advisory levels. It surprises and troubles me that this important information was not included in the article.
We will continue to monitor for these compounds as well as other emerging contaminants to ensure that Ann Arbor water remains safe. Full stop.
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