The toxic compounds are found in our rivers, our lakes, our soil, our groundwater, our drinking water, our fish, our food, our bodies and our Great Lakes.
Michigan municipal water systems are finding PFAS, some of which get their water from the Great Lakes.
The EPA is also considering an MCL, or maximum contaminant level for PFOS and PFOA, which would set a hard limit on the chemicals in municipal drinking water under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.
Twenty-seven chemicals pollute groundwater on the closed base, according to the EPA.
They also want more accountability to the community: Residents had to push for regular meetings with the unit of the Air Force charged with fixing contamination on closed bases and state officials monitoring them.
The spreading PFAS isn’t just moving with that plume.
Oscoda residents still don’t know how far PFAS will spread in their community.
Some wonder if this is how cleanups will go at other contaminated military bases in the state, and how many other wells and water systems will be affected.
After watching it play out for years in one city, they worry about how far this will reach in Michigan.
Isaacs won’t speculate about how many more sites will be added to the list of contaminated areas in Michigan by the end of this year.