CADILLAC — A Northern Michigan man, who recently discovered unsafe PFAS levels in his drinking water, said it’s been confusing getting answers on where to go to test for the long-term effects to his health.
JT Anderson JR. has lived in the industrial park area of Cadillac for the past 16 years, and recently discovered higher levels of PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, in his private well water than what’s considered safe for consumption.
He has since connected to city water, but he still worries about the lasting impacts, and said he’s been jumping through hoops to find the answers on where and how to get tested.
“Being the wife and I have been here for 16 years. We looked up what it can do to your system and a lot of the symptoms are things we’ve had to deal with in the last 15 years, 16 years, said Anderson, Jr.
He said they just want answers, now that they know that there are unsafe levels of the drinking water, they’ve been consuming for more than a decade and a half.
“I’ve experienced thyroid problems. The kidney problems and such quite a bit in the past. And that’s why I want to get further testing done, because hopefully there’s something that can clean this out of your system,” said Anderson, Jr.
He said getting information on testing for PFAS in his system has not been as clear cut as he would have hoped.
He contacted District Health Department #10 for a blood serum, or a lead test and they referred him back to his doctor.
But his doctor referred him back to District Health Department 10, saying they don’t test for PFAS at the doctor’s office.
“They do not do that at your local doctor’s office. That you have to go to the health department and get a blood serum test done through Quest Diagnostics,” said Anderson, Jr.
When he called Quest Diagnostics, he said they told him they need the test ordered through his doctor.
After calling his doctor again, he was sent a link on where to order the test.
He said he’s frustrated by the lack of answers by the local health department.
“Shouldn’t have to ask so many questions. If you take a bad water test up there, they should offer you a blood serum test whether you’ve got money or not. And, you know, figure that out later, but be concerned about the health of everybody,” said Anderson, Jr.
Anderson Jr. said the test is not covered by insurance, and cost $350.
That’s another expense on top of $290 they paid out of pocket for PFAS water testing.
Nine and Ten reached out to DHD #10, but they declined our request for an interview and said that they don’t conduct lead testing for PFAS and would refer inquiries about testing to the State Department of Health & Human Services.
They also did not respond, but on their website, they do have a little information on PFAS testing.
Here’s some of what we found:
You’ve likely been exposed to PFAS because they are found in many household and commercial chemicals.
According to a recent study, more than 98% of Americans have some amount of PFAS in their blood.
The CDC recommends that if you live in an area that is known to have high levels of PFAS in your drinking water, you may have more PFAS in your blood than the average person.
MDHHS said doctors cannot currently predict health problems related to PFAS based off a PFAS blood test.
And there was no clear-cut guide for you if you wanted to get tested for PFAS in your blood.
MDHHS instead referring you back to your doctor.