Christy McGillivray, 808-726-5325 or christy.mcgillivray@sierraclub.org
Lansing, Michigan -- Yesterday, Michigan adopted the proposed PFAS Maximum Contaminant Load (MCL), which will help limit toxic PFAS chemicals in the state’s drinking water. More than two million Michiganders currently have detectable PFAS chemicals in their drinking water supply.
Last month, the CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry released a report showing that exposure to PFAS suppresses the immune system and could increase the risk of contracting COVID-19 as well as the severity of the symptoms COVID-19. As COVID-19 persists in Michigan, the state did the right thing by acting to reduce public exposure to factors like PFAS pollution that may increase health risks.
In response, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter Political and Legislative Director Christy McGillivray released the following statement:
"Sierra Club applauds the State of Michigan for taking this long-overdue step forward to address the toxic drinking water contamination threatening the health of millions of Michiganders. However, this standard must be the beginning of a process to clean up our drinking water - the work is not done. We must fully implement the new standards while expanding protections to eliminate the entire class of PFAS chemicals still threatening our drinking water. The health and safety of all Michiganders depends on it.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.