CADILLAC - A concerning update to a story we’ve been covering since September about a Northern Michigan man who recently discovered unsafe levels of PFAS in his well water.
He just received results of further testing on the impact it has had on his health.
JT Anderson Jr. who has lived in the Industrial Park area of Cadillac for the past 16 years, recently had his well water tested at the urging of a friend.
After finding unsafe levels of PFAS, or forever chemicals in his water, he decided to get further testing done to see if it has taken a toll on his health.
And what he discovered, he said is disappointing and frustrating
JT Anderson Jr. said he was shocked when he found out the results from a blood serum test, he had done.
“I was surprised, I really didn’t expect it to be in there. I was hoping it was just minor damage from the water. Now, I know it’s in my system for good or until it works its way out,” said Anderson, Jr.
“The scale goes from 0 to 20. They want zero. Two is acceptable. And everybody under two is normal. And I made a 5.83. So I’m like a quarter of the way up the scale,” said Anderson Jr.
Anderson Jr. said tests show a 25% higher chance of getting cancer, liver disease or other health related illnesses because of the higher levels of PFAS he’s been exposed to.
He said there’s not much you can do to reduce the exposure levels.
“So over time, this will disappear. But it can be anywhere from 5 to 30 years. They’re telling me to monitor my blood work more often. So, we’re setting up, so I get blood tests every six months. In case anything happens, we can attack it sooner than later if there is a problem. Besides that, she said there’s nothing we can really do about it,” said Anderson, Jr.
Anderson Jr. has lived there with his wife for 16 years, raising his family and having visits from his 13 grandchildren.
“My wife said she’s definitely going to get tested,” said Anderson, Jr.
He said the blood serum tests cost about $350 out of pocket.
And although doctors don’t test for chemicals, they can check the health of your organs and your blood for any possible impact to PFAS exposure.
He said he hopes to have his grandkids checked out by a physician to see if they have any symptoms from the forever chemicals, before shelling out the big bucks.
Anderson Jr. has connected to city water, although he said he plans to get further testing of other chemicals outside of PFAS that he said are just as harmful.
“There are other heavy metals. And I don’t think metals are good for your system,” said Anderson, Jr.
He said he is considering hiring an attorney but right now he’s just focusing on his health.
“I just want a healthy life. I would rather go later than sooner because I enjoy it,” said Anderson, Jr.
Anderson Jr. urged anyone with a well to get tested.
“Please get tested. Because forever chemicals, they’re very harmful. They can cause all these cancers and such,” said Anderson Jr.