LANSING, MI (MPRN)-- A national environmental group is calling on Michigan to set the lowest standard in the nation for perfluoroalkyl substances.
The Natural Resources Defense Council released a report calling on Michigan to lead the country in addressing perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.
PFAS are a class of chemicals that have been found across the state and are linked to health problems including cancer.
Governor Whitemer has tasked the Michigan’s PFAS Action Response Team to set a statewide standard by October 1st.
Erik Olson is with the NRDC. He says the state should set a maximum contaminant level for PFAs in drinking water between 2 and 5 parts per trillion. The current federal and state level is 70 parts per trillion.
“We think swift action is really important and it needs to protect the most vulnerable people especially kids and pregnant moms,” he says.
Olson says there is no real “safe level” for PFAS and the state should try to reach zero. He says 2 and 5 parts per trillion are the lowest levels at which PFAs can be detected.