OSCODA – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) will provide information about the Oscoda Area Exposure Assessment (OAEA) during
public town halls scheduled in May.
The OAEA project will measure the Oscoda area population’s exposure to environmental chemicals, including mercury, PCBs, and perand polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and compare the findings to statewide and national average levels of exposure.
People can come in contact with chemicals in what they eat and drink, in products they use, both at work and in their environment, like in the air, soil and water. People ages 12 and older who live in either Oscoda or AuSable Township in Iosco County can participate in the OAEA.
The OAEA is part of the biomonitoring surveillance program the Michigan Chemical Exposure Monitoring project, and will:
• Provide adult participants with measurements for a total of 197 chemicals, including 45 PFAS, from samples of their blood and urine. Guardians of adolescent participants will be provided with the measurements for a total of 45 PFAS from a sample of the adolescent’s blood.
• Be able to compare results to Michigan as a whole. This will help MDHHS identify if OAEA participants have different exposures than other Michigan residents.
Taking part in this project is completely free and participants will receive their individual lab results along with a $65 gift card as a thank you for their time.
OAEA Town Halls will be offered both virtually and in person. Oscoda and AuSable Township residents are encouraged to attend to learn more about the OAEA project and ask questions.
• The virtual OAEA Town Hall is being held Tuesday, May 2, from 6 to 7 p.m. Residents are asked to register online and can join the meeting online or by phone.
• The in-person OAEA Town Hall will be held Thursday, May 4, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Warrior Pavilion, 6288 F41 in Oscoda.
Individuals who would like to participate in the project, have questions or need language assistance or accommodations, should call 844-464-7327 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Residents can also send an email to MDHHSMiChEM@michigan.gov.
Individuals in need language assistance or accommodations are asked to call by Friday, April 21, to request language, mobility, visual, hearing, translation and/or other assistance.
For more information, visit Michigan.gov/DEHBio.
