LANSING, Mich. (Dec. 11, 2024) — In reaction to the continued contamination of PFAS, mercury, and other dangerous pollutants at the Wyandotte BASF site, and subsequent announcement that the Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) will be assessing the safety of the area, Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) issued the following statement:
“The presence of these harmful chemicals in the immediate vicinity of our water intake system and the Detroit River is something that we should be taking very seriously. I’m grateful that MDHHS is taking this step to safeguard the well-being of Downriver and our residents. This issue must be addressed with urgency, and I will be monitoring this assessment and keeping in close contact with health officials as they evaluate any necessary next steps.”
While recent testing has shown no detectable levels of pollutants of concern, the Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced that it will be working in tandem with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to conduct a study to determine if nearby residents are exposed to pollutants. This assessment is the most recent development in the long-term and ongoing clean up at the BASF Wyandotte facility, as the Michigan Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and MDHHS work to ensure that Downriver residents have access to safe, clean water.