Residents of a Michigan town once exposed to contaminated drinking water from an old paper mill continue to carry elevated levels of toxic PFAS chemicals in their blood, a new study finds.
Carey Gillam reports for The New Lede.
In short:
- Researchers from Michigan State University collected blood and water samples from Parchment, Michigan, residents exposed to PFAS-contaminated municipal water between 2005 and 2018.
- All study participants had PFOS and PFOA — two highly toxic types of PFAS — in their blood, with levels correlating to how long they drank the tainted city water.
- Despite a 2018 switch to a new water source, PFAS compounds remained in the blood and environment as of 2022, reflecting their persistent nature.
Key quote:
“The water source was found to be the strongest predictor of PFAS levels in blood, which increased for every additional year of drinking the water.”
— Study authors
Why this matters:
Long used in industrial processes, firefighting foams, and everyday items like nonstick cookware, PFAS chemicals are now linked to a range of health issues, including cancer, liver damage, and developmental effects in children. The case in Parchment, Michigan, is part of a much broader crisis — millions of Americans may be unknowingly exposed to PFAS through drinking water, particularly in communities near manufacturing sites or waste facilities. Even years after a polluted water source is shut off, people continue to carry these toxins in their blood, raising concerns about chronic exposure and the adequacy of federal regulation. With past administrations delaying strong action and current political shifts threatening existing protections, public health experts warn that PFAS could remain a widespread hazard for generations unless aggressive monitoring and cleanup take place.
Related: Where did the PFAS in your blood come from? These computer models offer clues
