MUCC has been in contact with the executive office of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and will continue to share information as it becomes available. We will be hosting an upcoming Conservation Policy Meeting on December 8, 2018 at the Chelsea Rod and Gun Club to learn more about PFAS and fish and wildlife. Stay tuned for more information and to RSVP.
“Do Not Eat” Advisory from the Michigan Departments of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Natural Resources (DNR): Deer in Oscoda Township (Iosco County)
In recent years, experts have become increasingly concerned by the potential effects of high concentrations of PFAS on human health. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), are part of a group of chemicals used globally during the past century in manufacturing, firefighting and thousands of common household and other consumer products.
As part of Michigan’s efforts to identify PFAS in Michigan, deer were tested from areas known to have PFAS contamination in lakes or rivers. Today, MDHHS and DNR issued a ‘Do Not Eat’ advisory for deer taken within five miles of Clark’s Marsh in Oscoda Township, Iosco County. The advisory is due to high levels of PFAS chemicals found in deer taken within five miles of the Marsh.
A map of the advisory area and answers to frequently asked questions are available on the State of Michigan’s PFAS response website.
DNR and MDHHS developed this investigation in response to questions from hunters concerned about harvesting deer in contaminated areas. This is the first study of its kind and very little scientific information exists on whitetail deer and PFAS chemicals.
MDHHS and DNR advise hunters to dispose of any deer in their freezer that may have come from this area into a landfill and do not eat it.
If you have health related questions, contact MDHHS at 1-800-648-6942. Hunters can contact the MDNR at 517-284-6057 or DNR-CustomerService@michigan.gov for information about deer tags that were used in this region.
