Michigan’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development committed $1.9 Million toward PFAS research projects in commemoration of PFAS Awareness Week. This research will help with efforts to mitigate the effects of harmful PFAS chemical intrusion in our environment, which has posed a serious threat to public health.
The Department’s Director, Tim Boring, states “By better understanding how these chemicals move through agriculture systems, we can implement measures to reduce their impact. Today’s grants reflect MDARD’s commitment to investing in proactive science and research to protect Michigan’s food and agriculture sector now and in the future.”
Research grant fundees will receive up to $400,000 in assistance to fund projects such as a team at Michigan Technological University led by Dr. Judith Perlinger that is studying how applied composted fish waste affects PFAS levels in garden‑grown vegetables.
PFAS, or polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as “forever chemicals”, is a class of chemical that has proven to have long-term negative health effects in humans and shows a resistance to breaking down in our environment, leading to an appreciable accumulation. PFAS have been used in everyday products such as waterproof clothing and personal care items.
For more information about the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development grant programs, visit the MDARD Grants webpage here.
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