Center for PFAS Research

What is PFAS?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of over 4,000 chemicals. Many of these have been used in fire-fighting foams for extinguishing fuel fires, as water and stain-resistant coatings for furniture, carpeting, footwear, cookware, textiles, paper food packaging and more. Unlike the case for many other organic pollutants, PFAS in soil and water are not degraded by biological or biogeochemical processes.

Scientists and health professionals are concerned about PFAS because the chemicals are widespread in the environment, persist for long periods, and have been linked with human and natural resource health problems.

Mission

The main goals of the MSU Center for PFAS Research are to quantify and communicate PFAS risks, and mitigate their impacts on human health, agriculture, and natural resources. To accomplish this, researchers aim to:

Quantify exposure and risk for humans, livestock, crops, fish, and wildlife
Develop and test remediation strategies and technologies
Explore safer PFAS alternatives

Vision

The MSU Center for PFAS Research is positioned as a center of excellence at MSU that will be a go-to location for PFAS research as it pertains to contamination of agricultural and natural resources in the state of Michigan, in the U.S. and the world. Researchers are working with state government and other relevant stakeholders with an interest in PFAS-related issues.

Center for PFAS Research Faculty Spotlight: Brad L. Upham

Published May 11, 2022

Dr. Brad Upham’s contribution of determining the potential adverse health effects of PFAS is an important mission of the MSU Center for PFAS Research.

FAA grant supports MSU researchers studying PFAS remediation at Grand Rapids airport

Published on August 18, 2022
Five MSU researchers are part of the team that received a $1.2M grant from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.
MSU researcher receives $1.9M grant to develop testing framework for PFAS toxicity

Published on January 25, 2022
Cheryl Murphy, a professor in the MSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and director of the Center for PFAS Research, leads the project funded by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program.