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Rep. Huizenga, candidate Davidson react to PFAS found in Grand Haven

After "inactionable levels" of PFAS were found in Grand Haven's water supply, congressional candidate Rob Davidson called on Congress to address the issue of contaminants in the water supply.

SPRING LAKE, Mich. - Rob Davidson, a candidate for the House of Representatives, is pushing for Congress to take action on addressing PFAS in Michigan's drinking water after the contaminants were found in Grand Haven's water supply.

"There was a report that PFAS was detected in the Grand Haven water supply, which includes Spring Lake Township, where I live, and it includes many communities along the lakeshore," said Davidson.

Testing the local water system for per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) found 4 parts per trillion (ppt) of each substance, for a combined 8 ppt, the Grand Haven Tribune reported.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency set a safe drinking level of PFAS at 70 ppt.

"My wife and I, as two physicians, we were livid. It's one of those things that's not surprising, but it is shocking," said Davidson.

Exposure to PFAS chemicals has been linked to some forms of cancers, thyroid disorders, elevated cholesterol and other diseases.

"We don't know what they can do," he said. "It's essentially a ticking time bomb."

In a release, Davidson said that Congress should fund the EPA and strengthen safeguards against chemicals in drinking water.

Davidson is Democrat who is running against Bill Huizenga (R-Zeeland) for Michigan's second congressional district. Huizenga also reacted to the findings in Grand Haven.

"I'm afraid this is the tip of the spear," he said. "The extent of this really isn't known."

Huizenga is a supporter of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which he hopes will be able to address PFAS in the state of Michigan. "We need to make sure that our greatest resource here in Michigan—which is the Great Lakes and the entire water system that we have—is protected."

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