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Health Consultations
Health Consultations
MDHHS conducts public health assessments and consultations at sites of contamination. The health assessor determines what, if any, threat to human health a site may pose and makes recommendations that are protective of public health. Click on the links below to view PFAS-specific public health assessments/consultations and related documents.
In November 2021, staff at the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) alerted the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) of potential beef contamination at a farm in Livingston County. Biosolids from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) contaminated with perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) had been historically applied to these farm fields, and MDARD sampling showed PFOS contamination was present in both soil and crop samples. MDARD crop-uptake modeling indicated that beef cattle may be taking up PFOS at levels that could pose a potential health risk among highly exposed consumers.
The uptake modelling led to follow-up sampling of a very limited number of previously processed and frozen beef samples to quickly assess whether beef was contaminated at this location and if public health actions needed to be taken. This beef sampling showed that PFOS was present in beef at levels roughly half of that shown by modeling. These levels could cause excessive exposures among individuals depending on their rate of beef consumption and how much of their beef comes from this contaminated supply.
Former Wurtsmith Air Force Base and the Oscoda Area
The former Wurtsmith Air Force Base (WAFB) in Oscoda (Iosco County), Michigan is approximately 170 miles north of Detroit and primarily operated as a training base for 70 years from 1923-1993.
A variety of hazardous substances (e.g., fuels, firefighting foam, solvents and pesticides) have been handled, stored and disposed at the former WAFB. Some of these materials were released into the environment, resulting in soil, groundwater, sediment and surface water contamination at several locations. Contaminants from some of these areas have migrated beyond the base’s boundaries.
Visit the Health Assessments and Related Documents webpage for information on other health assessments and consultations about different contaminants.