Michigan firefighter blood PFAS study hints at foam ban impact

By Garret Ellison | MLive | May 30, 2026

Read the full article by Garret Ellison (MLive)

"Health officials say a 2020 ban on training with PFAS-laden firefighting foam may have helped reduce toxicant levels in the blood of Michigan firefighters, although results of a study do not offer concrete proof.

A Michigan Department of Health and Human Services report released in May found PFAS in the blood of more than 1,000 firefighters tested over three years, creating what officials called a first-of-its-kind baseline for state occupational exposure.

The study found Michigan firefighters generally did not have higher average levels than the broader U.S. population for most measured chemicals, a result which officials speculate may reflect restriction on use of certain toxic foams enacted in 2020."

Location:

• North AmericaUS
• North AmericaUSMichigan

Topics:

• ChemicalsPFAS
• ChemicalsPolymer
• ProductsFirefighting foam
• SourcesFire departments
• Environment
• Wildlife