| 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 |
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
- 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