MSU Extension and statewide partners are working together to support agricultural producers and communities impacted by PFAS contamination. PFAS are a class of chemicals widely used in fire retardants, consumer products, and some manufacturing facilities.

What are PFAS?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of man-made chemicals that are resistant to heat, water and oil. Since the 1940’s, PFAS have been used in many industrial applications and consumer products such as carpeting, waterproof clothing, grease and waterproof food packaging, cosmetics, fire-fighting foams, and metal plating. 

Graphic of multiple products containing PFAS

Image credit https://riversideca.gov/press/understanding-pfas

 

According to the EPA, there are thousands of individual types of PFAS chemicals, not all of which can be detected with current tests. Of the thousands of chemicals classified as PFAS, the majority of laboratories can accurately analyze the presence of 20-40 of the most prevalent types. There is still no universally accepted definition of PFAS, which is why sources may vary when reporting the exact number of compounds that are classified as PFAS. For more information about PFAS definitions, visit the Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) website.  

PFAS are still in use today and don’t break down significantly in the environment during an individuals lifetime, but they can move, particularly in flowing water. Some PFAS can build up in our bodies, which can lead to health risks. Therefore, breathing, drinking or eating food contaminated with PFAS is a concern. Research is still ongoing to fully understand the effects that PFAS might have on health. Although more research is needed, some studies in people have shown that certain PFAS may: 

  • Lower a woman’s chance of getting pregnant 
  • Increase the chance of high blood pressure in pregnant women 
  • Increase the chance of thyroid disease 
  • Increase cholesterol levels 
  • Change the body’s immune response 
  • Increase the chance of cancer, especially kidney and testicular cancers 

Why has Agriculture been Impacted?

Due to their widespread use and mobility, PFAS migrated into the waste stream from both household and industrial use. Since the 1980’s, biosolids from waste treatment facilities has been used in agriculture as a low-cost fertilizer source. This was a beneficial use of nutrients, however farmers were unaware some of the biosolids they were spreading contained PFAS. For more information about PFAS in biosolids, visit our biosolids webpage.  

PFAS may have also entered the agricultural sector by contaminating water sources used for field irrigation and animal drinking water. This contamination can be caused by industries that heavily use PFAS such as paper mills, tanneries, chemical manufacturers, textile manufacturers, or from landfill leachate, firefighting foam runoff at airports and military bases. When PFAS  persist in the soil and water used to grow crops, they can be taken up into plants, make their way into animals who eat those plants and can cycle back into both surface and groundwater. To view PFAS concentrations in water throughout the state, visit MPART’s PFAS Map.   

MSU Extension is here to help producers impacted by PFAS contamination. Please contact Faith Cullens-Nobis at 517-388-1078 or cullensf@msu.edu for a confidential conversation on determining risk and strategies to mitigate PFAS contamination.

It will be helpful to keep in mind the units of measure as we refer to PFAS concentrations throughout the site. Typically, PFAS concentrations in liquid media will be represented in ppt while solid media will be reported in ppb.  updated part per million.png

Updated PFAS cycle.png
Graphic provided by EGLE