We are on a mission to prevent and clean up toxic PFAS contamination.

WHO WE ARE

The Great Lakes PFAS Action Network (GLPAN) is a coalition centered and driven by people impacted by toxic PFAS pollution.

OUR LEADERS

WHAT ARE PFAS?

 

PFAS is an acronym that stands for Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances. PFAS are a class of nearly 15,000 synthetic chemicals. Beginning in the 1940’s, PFAS have been used in a variety of industrial products, like stain and water-resistant fabrics, cleaning products, paints, and fire-fighting foams. PFAS are commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” because they can take thousands of years to break down. Unfortunately, they are also linked to a wide array of health problems. According to the state of Michigan, there are more than 300 contaminated sites in Michigan, and the drinking water of nearly 2 million Michiganders has been detected to have some level of PFAS.

WHAT WE DO

 

GLPAN harnesses the collective resources, perspectives, and expertise in PFAS communities, and fuses them with organizations' own resources and expertise. Together, we work to educate decision-makers at the state and federal levels, secure funding for large-scale cleanup, and ensure accountability for swift, comprehensive, and equitable solutions to PFAS contamination for people across the Great Lakes region.

PFAS contamination is a global problem, affecting water, soil, wildlife, and people on every continent. While this crisis spans the world, GLPAN focuses on the Great Lakes region, where millions rely on these waters for drinking, recreation, and livelihood. In Michigan alone, nearly 2 million residents, in communities from Traverse City to Rockford, Oscoda, and Ann Arbor, have PFAS in their drinking water. GLPAN connects these impacted communities to amplify their voices, raise awareness, and drive coordinated action to confront PFAS pollution locally and regionally.

Through collaboration with top PFAS experts, GLPAN provides communities with the tools and knowledge they need to demand accountability and pursue effective cleanup solutions. By equipping residents with reliable information and strong support networks, we empower them to hold polluters responsible and advance lasting protections for their health and environment.

OUR VISION

 

The GLPAN envisions a future where:  

  • Michigan residents no longer worry that their health may be negatively impacted by PFAS exposure via contaminated sites, on-the-job exposure, and consumer products. 

  • All PFAS contaminated sites in Michigan have been identified and mitigated through clean up or containment, and no new contaminated sites are affecting aquatic ecosystems, fish, and other wildlife. 

  • Federal and state leaders have issued a formal PFAS crisis declaration by banning the production of all PFAS chemicals, except for narrowly confined essential uses. 

  • There is aid and care for health-impacted victims of PFAS exposure throughout Michigan and the entire Great Lakes region. 

  • The movement to make these changes is driven by the people and communities most impacted by the PFAS crisis. These communities are partnering with technical experts in public health, science, and the law.

BACKGROUND

Over the past decade, it has become increasingly clear that a dangerous class of chemicals called PFAS — which are used in everything from furniture, clothing and cookware to food packaging, child car seats and fire-fighting foam — is responsible for serious health impacts to people and wildlife.

PFAS have been found at alarming concentrations in drinking water, surface water, biosolids, and people across the Great Lakes region. Michigan has done extensive testing of municipal and well water drinking systems, and has made some progress in cleaning up and addressing PFAS, but there is still a long way to go in fighting these forever chemicals.

Concerns with PFAS have been brought to the forefront of the environmental and conservation movement, thanks in large part to the advocacy of affected residents living in communities highly impacted by these toxic chemicals. Their tenacity, dedication, and unique perspectives have informed the understanding of the PFAS crisis.

Our Partners

Great Lakes PFAS Action Network is a coalition centered and driven by people impacted by toxic pollution, and supported by the following organizations: