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PFAS

MPART PFAS geographic information system preview
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

PFAS

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, represent a class of synthetic chemicals developed in the 1940s that have since been widely utilized in various industrial and consumer products. These substances are valued for their ability to repel water and oil, making them essential in the production of firefighting foam, stain-resistant fabrics, and non-stick cookware. However, one of the most concerning aspects of PFAS is their persistence in the environment and in living organisms. PFAS are highly resistant to degradation, earning them the label "forever chemicals." This characteristic allows them to accumulate in human and animal bodies over time. Research has indicated that exposure to PFAS is linked to several health issues, including reproductive problems, immune system disorders, and certain types of cancer.

Cascade Township Residential Well Sampling Total PFAS Map
Cascade Township Residential Well Sampling Total PFAS Map

MPART PFAS Geographic Information System

This app features several datasets as part of Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART)'s efforts, including official sites, surface water sampling results, public water supply results, and fish sampling results.

Find a PFAS site or area of interest

PFAS can enter drinking water in a few different ways:

  • Landfill

    Landfills often contain waste materials that include products treated with or containing PFAS. Over time, these chemicals can leach from the landfill into groundwater, potentially contaminating drinking water wells in the vicinity.

  • Wastewater

    PFAS that are present in industrial and consumer products can enter wastewater systems through domestic use and industrial processes. Although wastewater treatment plants can remove some PFAS, certain types may pass through these treatment systems and enter water bodies used for drinking water supply.

  • Industry

    Industrial facilities that produce or use PFAS can release these chemicals into wastewater. If not properly treated, PFAS can enter surface water bodies or groundwater sources used for drinking water supply.

Contact us

Contact the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART).

Emerging Contaminants Unit
Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division
P.O. Box 30473
Lansing, MI 48909-7973

EGLE-PFAS-DrinkingWater@Michigan.gov