State Senator monitoring Richland PFAS contamination

RICHLAND, Mich. — Michigan Senator Margaret O’Brien is closely monitoring a toxic water contamination in Kalamazoo County.
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality said that four wells in Richland tested positive for Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) levels 16 times higher than the federal standard.
PFAS are believed to cause cancer and are linked to low infant birth weights.
O’Brien said, "PFAS is a serious and emerging issue for our state and nation and we need to continue to focus our efforts on furthering research and implementing a strategic response to additional contaminated sites."
Richland’s contamination stems from an old chrome plating plant known for dumping poisonous toxins.
The DEQ is testing 20 other wells to see just how far the toxic water contamination has spread.
DEQ spokesman Scott Dean said, “If we find any PFAS detection, we think that’s too much.
We want people to have alternative water until we can get to the bottom of it."
The DEQ said it has bottled water and filters for anyone whose tap water is found to have dangerous PFAS levels.

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