Great Lakes Wire

Visitors and residents are being urged by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to stay away from foam near bodies of water as the summer starts to heat up.

Rivers, lakes and streams qualify as bodies of water that can accumulate chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a recent news news release from MDHHS said.

“Studies have shown that the risk of PFAS getting into your body from skin contact is low, but you can accidentally swallow PFAS or other chemicals and bacteria if you do not rinse off or bathe after coming into contact with foam,” Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive, said in the release. “Washing your hands and rinsing off after water activities can protect you from chemicals or bacteria that may be in water or foam.”

If you are visiting a body of water, MDHHS recommends that you avoid PFAS foam, which is typically lightweight and bright white in color and collects upon shores or blows onto beaches; the release said.

Children who come in contact with PFAS foam for a few hours a day may be at greater risk of harmful side effects, MDHHS said. There is also evidence that increased exposure to PFAS could lead to thyroid disease and higher cholesterol.

Additionally, pet owners should be aware that their pets should not go near white foam on waterbodies, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) said in the release.

“If animals do come in contact with foam, they should be rinsed off and bathed with fresh water as foam can build up in animal fur,” MDARD said. “Animal owners with questions related to animals and foam ingestion should contact their veterinarian.”

Natural foam that is void of PFAS is usually off-white and/or brown in appearance and has a fishy or dirt scent, MDHHS said. It usually accumulates in bays and eddies or along dams and other river barriers.