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Lab error blamed for positive PFOS test in southeast Michigan

A section of the River Raisin near Monroe. State workers found a PFAS spike in a recent test in the river's watershed.
Lester Graham
/
Michigan Radio
A section of the River Raisin near Monroe. State workers found a PFAS spike in a recent test in the river's watershed.
A section of the River Raisin near Monroe. State workers found a PFAS spike in a recent test in the river's watershed.
Credit Lester Graham / Michigan Radio
/
Michigan Radio
A section of the River Raisin near Monroe. State workers found a PFAS spike in a recent test in the river's watershed.

A lab error is being blamed for a positive testfor chemical contamination with a chemical in the PFAS family in the River Raisin watershed.

Tests on water samples taken this summer near the intake area of the Deerfield water filtration plant indicated a high result for a chemical known as PFOS. PFAS are industrial chemicals. Some kinds have been linked to serious human health effects.

But the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy now says there was an error in the testing done by a lab in California.

Tests of drinking water in Deerfield, Monroe and other nearby communities did not turn up any sign of contamination.

“I want to remind residents that the treated drinking water showed no evidence of PFOS, so there was never an issue to their water,” says state Senator Dale Zorn (R-Ida), in a press release. “While the summer notification for area families was unfortunate, it is always best to be safe rather than sorry when it comes to our drinking water.”

A new round of testing is underway.

Copyright 2019 Michigan Radio

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Radio since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting. During his two and a half decades in broadcasting, Steve has won numerous awards, including accolades from the Associated Press and Radio and Television News Directors Association. Away from the broadcast booth, Steve is an avid reader and movie fanatic. Q&A