Entrepreneurs’ Strategies to Combat an Unseen Toxic Danger

From prominent figures in communities affected by PFAS to seasoned tech professionals with years of experience, visionaries are emerging to combat the invisible chemicals endangering U.S. towns.

Northern Michigan is renowned for its pristine natural landscapes and top-tier recreational opportunities, courtesy of the Great Lakes. While Lake Huron may lack the mystique of Lake Superior or the sandy beaches of Lake Michigan, it boasts extensive shorelines adorned with dunes, cliffs, forests, and towns that approximately three million individuals call home. Yet, amidst this idyllic setting, one small town nestled in the northeastern part of the state, Oscoda, is making a name for itself as a hub for innovation and testing in the realm of PFAS—a group of toxic chemicals that have plagued the region and numerous others across the country.

In Oscoda, 66-year-old Dean Wiltse operates Enviro Lab Services, a testing company located within a building on the decommissioned Wurtsmith Air Force Base, about 200 miles north of Detroit. Established in 2019, Enviro Lab Services conducts analyses on water, blood, soil, and biological samples, examining everything from E. coli and metals to the hazardous group of nearly 15,000 chemicals known as PFAS.

Wiltse also provides discounted testing for resource-strapped innovators aiming to demonstrate the scalability of their technologies in remediating PFAS contamination—a crisis that extends far beyond the serene shores of Lake Huron. Through partnerships with companies as distant as British Columbia and New Jersey, as well as local entrepreneurs, Wiltse is positioning Oscoda as a pioneering center for collaborative efforts to tackle this issue, with a focus on knowledge-sharing.

With the previously unseen presence of PFAS in Oscoda, Wiltse, who relocated to the town in 1979 at the age of 21, initially concentrated on managing Wiltse’s Brewpub & Family Restaurant, which he founded alongside his brother. At that time, the community remained oblivious to the imperceptible, colorless chemicals polluting their water sources.

To comprehend the origins of this dilemma, one must examine the Wurtsmith Air Force Base, situated on the bank of Van Etten Lake in Oscoda. Established in 1923, the base held significant roles in various historical conflicts, including World War II, when the famed Tuskegee Airmen underwent brief training there. It also served as a key driver of industry and employment for Oscoda and the surrounding regions until its closure in 1993. Throughout its operational years, military firefighters routinely employed PFAS-laden fire suppressants during drills, unknowingly contributing to the contamination of the area.

PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have been utilized since the 1940s for their fire-resistant, water-resistant, stain-repellent, and durable qualities. These attributes have rendered them popular in various industrial and consumer products, from firefighting foam to nonstick coatings on cookware. With a robust molecular bond that resists breakdown, the chemicals accumulate in the environment and bioaccumulate in humans, plants, and animals through repeated and elevated exposure. Even at minimal levels, PFAS pose toxicity risks to humans, associating with various health issues such as cancer, elevated cholesterol levels, weakened immune responses, hormonal imbalances, and diminished female fertility.