Last month, The Michigan PFAS Action Response Team received and adopted new health-based values for seven per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This new health-based values will be used to develop statewide regulatory drinking water standards. The Science Advisory Workgroup presented the following recommendations and the reasoning for their findings to MPART
| Specific PFAS | Drinking-Water Health-based Value |
| PFNA | 6 ng/L (ppt) |
| PFOA | 8 ng/L (ppt) |
| PFHxA | 400,000 ng/L (ppt) |
| PFOS | 16 ng/L (ppt) |
| PFHxS | 51 ng/L (ppt) |
| PFBS | 420 ng/L (ppt) |
| GenX | 370 ng/L (ppt) |
What this means: This is the first step in determining the risk of PFAS in Michigan’s drinking water. Through their research, the Science Advisory Group determined that the above levels are the minimum of what is necessary to cause negative effects on humans.
Compared to other states, Michigan is proposing some of the strictest standards. However, because of the largely unknown long-term effects and the rate of accumulation of PFAS in the body, the Workgroup has recommended aggressive measures. It is also expected that the EPA will be revising the current PFAS national standard, currently set at 70ppt, this year.
What’s next: Now that we have established health-based values, the rulemaking process can begin. EGLE will host opportunities for public hearing and comment, and convene with environmental experts, industry leaders, and stakeholders. This will be an ongoing and careful process, which the League will be engaged every step of the way. We can expect the final rule to be adopted by April 2020.
Stay in the know: You can access past presentations, reports, and information on upcoming meetings at Michigan.gov/PFASResponse.
Posted by Matt Bach on behalf of Herasanna Richards. Richards is a legislative associate handling energy, environmental, external municipal services and election issues for the League. She can be reached at [email protected] or 517-908-0309.