A new project has been launched by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to monitor exposure to PFAS.
The PFAS in Firefighters of Michigan Surveillance (PFOMS) project will assess Michigan firefighters' average exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) - chemicals commonly found in Class B firefighting foams used to fight fires involving gasoline, oil and jet fuel.
“The findings will help inform activities to minimize firefighters’ exposure to PFAS,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. “Emerging science continues to reveal the effects that PFAS can have on human health, and the firefighters who participate in the PFOMS project will contribute to our understanding of PFAS exposure among firefighters.” The multi-year project is currently in the process of recruiting career and volunteer firefighters who work for airport fire stations in Michigan, as well as randomly selected municipal fire departments across Michigan.