PFAS


Cascade Area Page	MPART Page	EGLE Lead	Lead Email	Lead Phone
Burger/Goodwood		Brent Ritchie	ritchieb1@michigan.gov	616.581.1782
Hidden Hills/Aspenwood		Leah Gies	giesL1@Michigan.gov	616.215.4781
Hillsboro		Brent Ritchie	ritchieb1@michigan.gov	616.581.1782
Irene Ave		Brent Ritchie	ritchieb1@michigan.gov	616.581.1782
Lacks Industries		Nicole Sanabria	sanabrian@michigan.gov	517.281.7726

Join the Cascade Township PFAS AOI Interest E-mail List for future PFAS updates.

What is PFAS?
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances – are a group of human-made chemicals that have been manufactured and used since the 1940s. They are used in various industries, from fast food to cookware to firefighting, and are known for their water, oil, fat, and grease repelling qualities. They are hard to break down, build up in our bodies (bioaccumulate), and have been linked to certain types of cancers and other health issues.

PFAS Action Resources

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
- Information on MPART sites and private well sampling
- Phone: 1.800.662.9278, Environmental Assistance Center
Citizens Advisory Workgroup
- Made up of residents from impacted communities
- The committee is tasked with keeping the public informed, providing input and advice to MPART, and identifying and mitigating PFAS contamination, protecting the public from exposure risks.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
- Information regarding possible health effects of PFAS and PFOA
- Phone: 1.800.662.9278
Kent County Health Department
- Information on wells and possible health effects of PFAS and PFOA
- For well water questions related to PFAS, call 616.632.7100.
- For well water questions unrelated to PFAS, call 616.632.6900.
- Email: kcpfas@kentcountymi.gov
Cascade Charter Township Social Media
- Facebook page
Cascade Township PFAS Citizens Committee
- Agendas/Packets - This committee meets as needed.

What does PFAS exposure impact?

Reduced fertility
High blood pressure (pre-eclampsia in pregnancy)
Small decreases in infant birth weight
Higher cholesterol
Thyroid disease
Liver damage
Decreased immune response to vaccines
Developing certain types of cancer (particularly kidney and testicular)

Compound	Michigan Standards	Uses
PFNA	6 pptI	In production of non-stick, stain repellent, and chemically inert coatings.
PFOA	8 ppt	In non-stick and stain-resistant consumer products, food packaging, fire-fighting foam, and industrial processes.
PFOS	16 ppt	Resistant to stains, grease, soil, and water. Carpets/rugs, upholstered furniture, non-stick cookware, and leather products. Firefighting foams used at airports, firefighter training facilities, and military airfields.
PFHxS	51 ppt	Used in water- and stain-protective coatings for products such as carpets, textiles, paper, packaging, textiles, and electronics. Used in other industrial fluids or water-proofing agents. Used in aqueous film-forming foam for fire suppression.
GenX (HFPO-DA)	370 ppt	Aid in manufacturing of fluoropolymers. Fluoropolymers are used in making semiconductors, automobiles, airplanes, and the functioning of electronics, communication systems, and green hydrogen.
PFBS	420 ppt	Used as a replacement for PFAS.
PFHxA	400,000 ppt	Used in stain-resistant fabrics, paper food packaging, and carpets; it is also used for manufacturing photographic film.

Useful Links

State of Michigan PFAS Action Response Team
PFAS Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) in Michigan
Michigan Science Advisory Workgroup Report