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A conversation with Dr. Ian Smith about statewide PFAS testing results

  

The recent discovery of toxic chemicals contaminating drinking water supplies across the state of Michigan has left many wondering, whether their own personal water source is safe to drink. 

To answer that question, for the past year, the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team has conducted a statewide sampling of community, school, child care provider and tribal water supplies for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS.

The $1.7 million study was the first of its kind in the nation, and researchers say, they were pleasantly surprised at the results.

Dr. Ian Smith is the Emerging Contaminants and Issues Coordinator at the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team. In this conversation with WGVU’s Daniel Boothe, Smith discusses the results of the testing, as well as establishing a statewide, enforceable standard for PFAS in Michigan’s drinking water supplies.