Study of PFAS levels in Michigan firefighters raises cautious optimism

PFAS, a toxic “forever chemical,” was detected in 100% of Michigan firefighters surveyed. But blood concentrations were comparable to or lower than the general U.S. population
Environmental epidemiologists say the study points to possible improvements in state regulation to limit exposure pathways like PFAS firefighter foam and equipment.
Firefighters remain concerned that the chemicals are still leading to negative health outcomes like cancer and heart disease

Michigan firefighters are regularly exposed to toxic “forever chemicals” on the job. But new state data revealed last week shows that their PFAS blood levels are no higher than the average American’s, a finding that has some cautiously optimistic about state regulation designed to limit exposure.

The results come at an uncertain moment for PFAS policy. On Monday, just days after state health officials announced the results of their study, came news that the US government is relaxing regulations governing PFAS in drinking water.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are nearly ubiquitous in the environment and are linked to cancer among other health concerns. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is studying how exposure to firefighting foam and PFAS-treated personal protective equipment and clothing is affecting first responders.

“Historically, firefighters have been at an increased risk of PFAS exposure due to the nature of their work,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive, in a statement marking the report’s publishing. “The findings of this report provide valuable insights into PFAS exposure among Michigan firefighters and will help us better understand firefighters’ exposure to PFAS.”

A concerning baseline

PFAS was found in all firefighters surveyed, but many had rates comparable to or lower than the general US population. Jackie Goodrich, an environmental epidemiologist at the University of Michigan who studies PFAS exposure in firefighters, said the findings have her “hopeful” the state is improving its regulations on the chemical class.

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In August 2020, the state established more stringent guidelines on the allowable maximum contaminant levels of PFAS in drinking water. The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration updated its guidelines around PFAS in June 2022, banning its use in firefighter foam and in other capacities. The MDHHS surveillance project tracked data collected from April 2021 through September 2023.

“I think that these protective practices that are being put in place in Michigan are working for firefighters,” Goodrich told Bridge Michigan. “On the other side of things, that shows that yes, the general population does still have exposures to PFAS.”

The Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday it would rescind certain standards related to PFAS. Michigan’s state-level drinking water standards will continue to limit the compounds that the federal government is shifting away from, but in some cases the state’s standards are weaker than the standards the Trump administration is repealing.

The study’s limits

Goodrich says the Michigan study does not indicate how the firefighters were exposed to PFAS, pointing to possible pathways like diet, drinking water and food packaging. “I think, in general, we’re getting better and better about reducing PFAS,” she said. “There’s still sources that need to be cleaned up.”

For firefighters like Steve Heim, the state’s study is the first step in understanding the chronic illnesses that affect his colleagues, who are more prone to getting cancer and heart disease.

A captain at the Lincoln Park Fire Department and a vice president with the Michigan Professional Firefighters Union who advised the state’s study, Heim said the findings offer a “very narrow snapshot” into the effects of PFAS on firefighters.

“It’s great to see that we didn’t have these massive spikes in particular,” Heim told Bridge. “But that doesn’t do the other half of what we need … we still don’t know why we’re having the exposure and death rates and cancer rates that are still out there.”

Heim said there’s natural limitations to the state’s study because of imperfect national data comparisons and limitations in the study’s scope. The state’s focus on a baseline blood draw does not review other areas of the body, like brain matter and fatty tissue, where PFAS may deposit, he said.

The lack of understanding of how PFAS may be interacting with other firefighter risks like smoke inhalation and the skin absorption of harmful chemicals remains a concern, Heim said, along with the state’s other conclusions.

Firefighters who work at airports had higher concentrations of PFAS compared to other firefighter groups, according to the MDHHS study. The state said the increased use of PFAS-containing foams there, along with PPE, station dust or other occupational sources may contribute to the difference in outcomes.

PFAS foam has historically been used in training exercises, Heim said. While those practices have ended, he said the effects are still felt among older firefighters, along with other lingering health concerns.

“We’re still seeing super high exposure rates to cancer, and we’re getting lots and lots of young firefighters who are testing positive for all the classic cancers,” Heim said. “We’ve got additional work to do … there’s still a lot of risk out there.”

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