LANSING (WWJ) If you will be in the water this Memorial Day weekend and summer, The Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) is warning you to avoid the foam.
Foam can form on any body of water including lakes, rivers and streams. According to the MDHHS, it can contain harmful chemicals or bacterial including Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS. They say that foam containing PFAS is usually bright white, lightweight and can pile up along shores or blow onto beaches. Studies have found that high exposure to PFAS can be linked to high cholesterol, liver damage and other health problems.
The MDHHS said, if you touch or come into contact with foam, you should bathe or rinse off “as soon as possible” especially if the water is suspected to be contaminated with PFAS.
“Science tells us that the risk of PFAS entering your body through your skin is low, but you can accidentally swallow PFAS and other chemicals or bacteria if you do not rinse off or bathe after touching foam,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive, said in a release. “Rinsing off or bathing after water activities will help protect people from chemicals and bacteria that may be in foam or water.”
You’ll also want to keep your pets away from the foam, according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). They said animals are “at risk” of swallowing foam on their fur while grooming themselves. If your pet touches the foam, rinse them off with fresh water.
You’re encouraged to ask your veterinarian if you have any questions.
If you have questions about PFAS or foam, you can call the MDHHS Environmental Health Hotline at 800-648-6942. More information is available on the MPART website.