Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man made chemicals that are resistant to heat, water, and oil. PFAS was historically used at the airport in fire-fighting foams as was required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). PFAS can get into drinking water when products containing them are used or spilled onto the ground. The purpose of residential well sampling in known PFAS contamination areas is to determine if any wells have been impacted.
PFAS Sites:
Gogebic County Airport and Houghton County Airport
https://www.michigan.gov/pfasresponse/
For questions about the investigation or for a copy of the presentation materials, contact Michael Jury, EGLE, regarding the Gogebic County Airport site at JURYM1@michigan.gov or (517) 242-9578 and Amy Keranen, EGLE regarding the Houghton County Airport site at (906) 337-0389. For questions related to PFAS and health, contact Rosa Jaiman, MDHHS, at JaimanR@michigan.gov, or call 517-331-1049 or 800-648-6942 and ask for Rosa Jaiman.