Chemicals

from page 11A high levels of PFOS found in them in the lower branch and the main branch, from the Ford Estate dam to the Detroit River. Additionally, unlike the Huron River, a pollution source has not been identified.

The EPA advises that there are no safe levels of PFAS in drinking water, yet Michigan’s fish consumption levels have not been updated to reflect this data. The Ecology Center, the Friends of the Rouge and the Huron River Watershed Council are advocating for stricter advisories and plead for Michigan lawmakers to establish “sciencebased PFAS maximum contaminant levels for fish and wildlife, increase consumption advisory signage in heavy fishing areas along the Huron and Rouge rivers, include other PFAS chemicals in addition to PFOS in the Eat Safe Fish Advisory, and take a proactive stance and prevent future pollution in Michigan fisheries, water and wildlife by regulating new chemical threats to ecosystems, prohibit the sale of all PFAS-containing products except when no safer alternative exists and to hold polluters financially responsible for cleaning up PFAS pollution, including mitigation and PFAS destruction.”

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters announcing new bipartisan legislation to help protect consumers from toxic perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances March 16.

The Protecting Consumers from PFAS Act would add the Consumer Product Safety Commission to the list of federal agencies required to participate on the PFAS Interagency Working Group, which Peters helped establish in 2021 to improve coordination between federal agencies to address PFAS contamination, according to a press release. The commission is tasked with protecting the public against injury or harm associated with consumer products, such as water-resistant clothing, nonstick cookware, and other products that may contain PFAS chemicals “which can lead to serious health effects including cancer, low infant birthweight, liver and kidney issues, and reproductive and developmental problems,” the release states.

“Toxic PFAS chemicals have been found in our everyday items from clothing to non-stick cookware to cleaning supplies to dental floss,” said Peters. “I’m leading this bipartisan bill to ensure the federal agency responsible for protecting consumers from products that threaten their health and safety has a seat at the table as we work to address and eliminate these dangerous toxins.”

The bill reportedly builds on Peters’ efforts to address PFAS contamination, according to the release. In a funding bill signed into law in December 2022, Peters pushed for continued efforts to address PFAS contamination. The law included $5 million for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to support efforts to address PFAS contamination in agriculture, $2.7 million for the U.S. Geological Survey to conduct research on the transmission of PFAS substances in watersheds and aquifers, and $2 million for the

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to continue work on PFAS and other contaminants of concern.

To learn more about this study, visit https://www.ecocenter.org/our-work/healthystuff-lab/reports/community-based-studypfas-fish.

For more information regarding the EPA’s National Primary Drinking Water Regulation, visit https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/ and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas.

ARATHAM PLANT-BASED & ORGANIC EXPANDS TO ORCHARD LAKE, APRIL 3rd,

Aratham, a Chef-Driven Plant Based & Organic Health Food Restaurant, Expands to 4179 Orchard

Aratham Plant-Based & Organic Cuisine - a chef-driven Gourmet To Go that focuses on creative gourmet cuisine, hosts the grand opening of its next take away location conveniently located at 4179 Orchard Lake Road. Orchard Lake, MI. 48323. The location is a game-changer in take away meals and will offer high quality, delicious, flavorful plant-based breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, juices, health & wellness products and more…

Aratham officially will be opening its doors to the public on Monday, April 3rd, kicking off at 10:0am with the opportunity to meet the owners - husband and wife team Gabriel and Tiffanie Vera and be the first to purchase its creative grab and go meals. Parking is ample at the location designed to be a friendly, welcoming, neighborhood grab & go market for those who crave delicious, healthy meals – made with love. The location is perfect for quick meals for both residents and the business community. Hours of Operation will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Aratham Gourmet To Go - Organic & PlantBased cuisine was launched in 2019, and prepares thousands of meals every week for individuals and families throughout Michigan, with locations in Troy, Westland, Detroit and soon Orchard Lake.

“Aratham is a labor of love in every sense of the word,” said Gabriel and

Tiffanie, who add that love, quality and creativity together is the essence of Aratham. “We truly care about our customers, our community and the health of our planet. It’s because of this love that we developed a menu that is gourmet in quality, plant-based and delicious. Food can heal & fortify, and we fully believe that high quality, interesting, organic, gourmet cuisine should be available to everyone”

The menu rotates weekly to keep customers excited, but certain favorites will be available regularly, such as: plant-based, soups, entrees, side dishes, salads, breakfast bowls, desserts and much more… “We also believe take away, grab & go meals should be delicious, interesting, fresh and healthy - the opening of Aratham Plant Based Organic storefront allows the community to stop in and purchase our meals quickly and conveniently, without sacrificing taste or nutrition,” Gabriel and Tiffanie said.

Launched together by popular, award winning Chef Gabriel Vera and his wife Tiffanie, most meal delivery services require the purchaser to cook and assemble the meals. Aratham has meals already prepared and ready to Enjoy! Because of public demand, the couple decided to open its fourth location where customers can stop in daily, without pre-ordering, to pickup a great meal for them and their families. Gabriel Vera served as Director of Food and Beverage & Executive Chef at MGM Grand, Joe Vicari Restaurant Group, Mission Point Resort, Hilton and Hyatt. Gold and Silver Medalist of the Culinary World Cup, and the World Culinary Olympics among other accolades.

Vera said his wife: Tiffanie is the “Heart of the business” A Doula, Mother of two precious boys, Wife, Pastry Chef and Naturopath by heart has the highest quality standards in the industry and ensures all conscious sourcing of all products.

ARATHAM looks forward to welcome you at their newest location! For more information, please call Gabriel at: 586.871.0917 or email at: info@aratham.com

Hours of Operation: Monday - Saturday: 10:00am – 6:00pm