PFAS chemicals are linked to thyroid and liver disease and an increased risk for certain cancers and other illnesses.
Brenda Lantinga has lived in Richland her entire life, living in a farmhouse directly West of Production Plated Plastics from 1971 to 1975, a time when the manufacturing site was still operational.
"I’ve said for years that the drinking water for Richland had to be contaminated," Lantinga said.
Richland Township resident Deb Bogema said she remembers when Production Plated Plastics was in operation and contaminating the groundwater in the 1980s and 90s, adding that she was highly involved in improving the water quality in the area.
When the groundwater was found to be contaminated, Bogema said her goal was to get safe, city water to the schools and homes close to the Production Plated Plastics site.
Samples from the four wells already tested showed levels of PFAS above the Environmental Protection Agency’s health advisory level of 70 parts-per-trillion.
Three of the households that tested for high PFAS levels were provided bottled water, while one was not because the residents did not use their well water for drinking.
State officials are currently testing an additional 24 residential wells in an about 400-acre area east of the former Production Plated Plastics site.
If continually exposed to the chemical, high levels of PFAS can build up in the body and may cause adverse health effects.
Bogema’s water is part of the DEQ’s second round of testing that started July 10.