Strict New PFAS Drinking Water Standards Adopted in Michigan

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) recently announced the state was adopting a ruleset creating some of the nation’s most comprehensive regulations limiting contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. It also includes a dramatic tightening of the state’s existing groundwater clean-up criteria for several specific PFAS.

According to a recent EGLE announcement, “Michigan’s first-ever regulations limiting seven PFAS chemicals in drinking water will cover roughly 2,700 public water supplies around the state and exceed the current US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidance on the chemicals.” The regulated PFAS, each with a separate drinking water Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), include PFNA, PFOA, PFHxA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFBS and HFPO-DA.

PFAS have been manufactured and used in a variety of industries around the globe, including the United States since the 1940s. They are used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease and water. EPA reports that PFAS can be found in: 

• Drinking water, typically localized and associated with a specific facility (e.g., manufacturer, landfill, wastewater treatment plant, firefighter training facility).
• Foodpackaged in PFAS-containing materials, processed with equipment that used PFAS or grown in PFAS-contaminated soil or water.
• Commercial household products, including stain- and water-repellent fabrics, nonstick products, polishes, waxes, paints, cleaning products and fire-fighting foams which have been a major source of groundwater contamination at airports and military bases where firefighting training occurs.
• Workplace, including production facilities or industries (e.g., chrome plating, electronics manufacturing or oil recovery) that use PFAS.
• Living organisms, including fish, animals and humans.

“The new ruleset in Michigan took effect in August and also adds 42 new locations for contamination investigation to the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team’s list of sites that were once either landfills or former industrial facilities,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “To help in these types of efforts, EMSL’s laboratories are available to test and monitor for 18 different PFAS and we currently are able to accept samples from over half the states in the country.”

EMSL has also sponsored an educational video about PFAS and potential exposure risks that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/skLIprCGeX4.

To learn more about this or other environmental, industrial hygiene, health and safety testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com .


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with 45 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail