In Benzie County, 24% of residents are over 65 years old. There are contamination sites in nearby counties in the area that negatively affect the health of residents, especially the senior population. Studies show that some common health impacts associated with PFAS exposure include liver damage, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, obesity, testicular and kidney cancer. The elderly are especial…

This summer, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recommends that Michiganders avoid foam on Michigan lakes, rivers, streams, and beaches. Foam can contain harmful chemicals, including high levels of PFAS. Natural foam is usually off-white or brown in color with an earthy or fishy scent, and collects in bays or dams. But foam that contains PFAS is typically a bright white col…

Some drinking water wells may have PFAS in amounts that are high enough to cause concern for human health. About 75% of Michiganders get water from a public water supply. The rest of the state gets their water from private wells. Both can become contaminated by PFAS, so it is important to stay informer about drinking water in Benzie County. There are strict drinking water standards that put a …

The full impacts of PFAS exposure and contamination are still being studied, and will be for years to come. These invisible chemicals are a problem for humans of any age and for all living creatures. This is because PFAS collects in our bodies over time and can take years to leave. Because we are often exposed to different types of PFAS, they continuously add up in our bodies and in our bloodst…

There are many unknowns about the impacts of PFAS, but recent studies suggest that children are even more negatively affected by PFAS contamination than adults. In Michigan, 6.8% of the population are children under the age of 5 that could potentially be exposed to PFAS every day. In Benzie County, this presents the opportunity for potential for exposure to children. Kids encounter more sit…