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Scientists: Michigan May Need Stronger Standard For Toxins

Hundreds of thousands of Canadians have been unwittingly exposed to high levels of lead in their drinking water, with contamination in several cities consistently higher than they ever were in Flint, Michigan.
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A scientific panel convened by Gov. Rick Snyder says Michigan's standard for protecting drinking water from certain toxic chemicals may not be strong enough.

The Michigan PFAS Science Advisory Committee made the finding in a report issued Tuesday.

Snyder convened the panel of nationally recognized experts on per- and polyfluoroalkyl subtances, which are found in firefighting foam, some foods and a variety of household products.

The report says people could be sickened by long-term exposure to drinking water with concentrations of two particular chemicals below the federal advisory level of 70 parts per trillion. That's the standard Michigan uses.

The panel, led by David Savitz of the Brown University School of Public Health, also called for additional study of how other PFAS chemicals can affect human health.

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