Why Michigan Is Warning Residents to Stay Away From This Lake Foam
How many times have you been swimming in a Michigan lake when all of a sudden you find yourself in the middle of some weird, disgusting foam? If your gut is telling you that stuff probably isn't safe, you should probably listen.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is reminding residents to stay away from foam that builds up on lakes, rivers, and streams because it can sometimes contain high levels of PFAS, often called "forever chemicals." That name alone should probably be enough to keep you away from it.
Why Michigan Is Warning Residents to Stay Away From Lake Foam
The concern isn't necessarily touching the foam, even though it does seem pretty gross. The bigger problem is accidentally swallowing it or getting that residue on your hands, towels, beach gear, or even your dog's fur.
Why You Should Keep Kids and Pets Away From Lake Foam
Kids and dogs are probably the biggest concern. Kids see foam and think, "Awesome, foam!" without having any clue what it actually is. Meanwhile, dogs are known for licking themselves clean after swimming, which means they could end up swallowing whatever was trapped in it.
That's why health officials say it's best to avoid the foam altogether and rinse off after spending time in the water.
It's not like Michigan's lakes and rivers are overflowing with this stuff, but it's definitely out there, and we see it all the time. It's just one of those things where it's probably smart to stay away from it if you can.
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