Michigan State launches new PFAS research center

By Feedstuffs | May 20, 2020

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“An interdisciplinary group of researchers at Michigan State University is collaborating to form the Michigan State Center for PFAS Research, a new initiative to explore the health and environmental consequences of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

PFAS are manmade chemicals that have been used for more than 80 years in a wide range of industries.

An interdisciplinary group of researchers at Michigan State University is collaborating to form the Michigan State Center for PFAS Research, a new initiative to explore the health and environmental consequences of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

PFAS are manmade chemicals that have been used for more than 80 years in a wide range of industries.

According to Cheryl Murphy, a professor in the Michigan State department of fisheries and wildlife and the center director, this class includes at least 4,800 different substances, only 40 of which have been studied to date. PFAS are commonly used in nonstick and waterproof coatings, fire-fighting foams, water and stain-resistant coatings for furniture, carpeting, footwear and textiles, among many other applications.

‘We’re assembling a unique and diverse group of researchers to study this problem,’ said Murphy, whose research focuses on aquatic toxicology, primarily the effects of contaminants on fish populations. Michigan State ‘is especially equipped to tackle such a formidable task because of our land-grant focus on research and outreach and our leading programs in agriculture, health and natural resources.’

PFAS have infiltrated natural environments, and scientists want to know more about the risk they pose to agriculture, health and natural resources…”

This content provided by the PFAS Project.