Even before the federal government released the results of a study that showed current Environmental Protection Agency health standards for perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid were in drinking water are likely higher than needed, state and federal agencies were taking steps to discover the severity of the pollution and potential health impacts.

They also are preparing to do more studies to see if people or wildlife are being exposed to levels that could be harmful.

According to State Rep. Sue Allor, some of the measures include blood sampling of residents who live near contaminated sights and biological studies on animals in contaminated areas.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Health and Human Services released the results of a study conducted by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. The study showed the current EPA advisory lists possible health issues for PFOS and PFOA at anything greater than 70 parts per trillion. The study, which ran toxicity tests on rodents, shows it possibly could be as much as 10 times lower than that.

After high levels of PFOS and PFOA were discovered at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in October, residents in a one-mile radius of the base had their wells tested for the toxins. Thus far, there have been 107 test results returned from the 115 private wells sampled, and of those 73 showed no trace of the chemicals, which were used in a foam for fire suppression. In 34 of the tests, there was between 0.56 and 15.6 PPT detected. None tested above the current 70 PPT as advised by the EPA.

The question now becomes what will be done for those who who have wells that were tested and showed levels that exceeded seven through 10 PPT in the study.

Allor said the HHS study is very scientific and employees from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality are combing though it and will draw conclusions. She said the formulas used in the report differ somewhat from the method the EPA uses to set levels and as a result, more calculations may be needed to see which numbers are accurate. Until then, the DEQ is in a holding pattern until it decides what steps to take and what numbers should be used for future action.

Allor said the best way to address PFOS and PFOA issues is to have the EPA use standards, not just advisories, set for drinking water, groundwater and cleanup. She said until that happens, addressing the issue is being done inconsistently.

“Right now, the states have their own regulations and everything is scattered,” Allor said. “We need to have national standards set so everyone is on the same page.”

Allor said the federal government is considering conducting bio-monitoring tests near eight air bases around the country that have contamination. She said it is unlikely Alpena or Oscoda would be selected because of the population and the number of transient residents. She said it is possible that Rockford could be selected, however.

“It would be a one-time blood draw that shows what is happening at that point in time,” Allor said. “That could help to show if there are any human impacts and lead to what steps need to be taken to address it.”

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also will be researching contamination in wildlife in three of the communities that have a contamination issue.

Allor said beginning in July there will be as many as 20 deer killed each from Alpena, Grayling and Rockford and tests will be conducted. She said the goal is to have the study done and results issued by Sept. 1.

“They want to have everything done before deer season,” Allor said.

Sen. Gary Peters said it is crucial to be sure the toxins are governed properly and action is taken to be sure products where they are still used are phased out. He said he will work with the EPA and others to be sure that happens.

“I’ve heard firsthand from Michiganders who are still suffering the damaging impacts from exposure of PFAS in drinking water and I have written to Secretary (Jim) Mattis about my concerns that the Department of Defense is not adequately addressing PFAS contamination swiftly enough,” Peters said in a statement. “We must also take steps to end the PFAS contamination cycle, which is why I’ve urged EPA to establish enforceable limits for PFAS and worked to secure language in the National Defense Authorization Act encouraging the department to develop Fluorine-free firefighting foam for use on military installations.”

Late last year, Gov. Rick Snyder formed a PFOS/PFOA task force to help assist communities that have issues. Allor said $23 million was committed to help them and to make sure water testing results were done swiftly. She said there are a limited number of labs in the country that can test for the toxins and it can take as long as eight weeks to receive results from sample tests. Allor said that is why Snyder committed to opening a lab in the state to handle samples. She said the lab is still under construction and will become a reality.

“I just inquired with Michigan Health and Human Services about that and it told me it is in the process of doing it,” she said. “I also asked if the new lab would be able to test for other PFOA agents and it informed me it will be able to.”

Allor said she understands if people are unnerved about the contamination issue and she said she will continue to work with state, federal and local leader on the matter. She said the issue is being taken seriously since she learned of it and it will continue to be.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached via email at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5689. Follow Steve on Twitter ss_alpenanews.