Toxic exposure & cumulative burden
PFAS contamination sites, lead-exposure testing, and EJScreen environmental-justice indices — the cumulative-exposure story for Tennessee communities. Sources: State EPA PFAS Inventory, MDHHS testing data, and the EPA EJScreen environmental-justice mapping tool.
Tennessee PFAS Sites
Source: Tennessee PFAS Action Response Team (PFAS Response Team) · State EPA · live via /api/pfas
Locations of confirmed PFAS ("forever chemical") contamination sites across Tennessee.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a family of ~12,000 man-made chemicals nicknamed "forever chemicals" because they don't break down in the environment or the human body. Tennessee was the first state to set enforceable drinking-water limits (2020). PFAS Response Team tracks 200+ confirmed contamination sites — many from military bases, industrial sites, and firefighting foam.
- If you're on a private well within a few miles of a known PFAS site, request a free State EPA well test.
- Boiling water does NOT remove PFAS — use a certified reverse osmosis or activated-carbon filter rated for PFAS.
- Most municipal water in MI now meets the federal MCL — check your annual Consumer Confidence Report.
- Health effects with long exposure: thyroid, liver, immune-system, and some cancers — talk to your doctor if you're concerned.
Tennessee Childhood Blood Lead Testing — MDHHS Surveillance
Source: MDHHS Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP)
Tennessee blood-lead surveillance data by county — testing rates, elevated levels, and free testing locations. Lead poisoning prevention resources.
Tennessee law requires every Medicaid-enrolled child to be tested for blood lead at ages 12 and 24 months, and any child with risk factors (older housing, recent immigration) at any age. The CDC blood-lead reference value is 3.5 µg/dL — children above that level get follow-up care. The Flint Water Crisis put Tennessee's lead-testing infrastructure under a national microscope; testing rates have risen since 2016 but remain below state targets.
- Free blood-lead test for any child under 6: call your county health department or Medicaid.
- If you live in a home built before 1978, assume lead paint may be present — wet-wipe windowsills weekly, use HEPA vacuum.
- Have your home tested: certified lead inspectors at https://www.michigan.gov/mileadsafe
- In Flint: free home water filters, certified bottled water, and lead testing are all available via the Genesee County Health Dept.
Tennessee Environmental Health Burden — CDC PLACES County Index
Source: CDC PLACES (Population Level Analysis and Community Estimates) · live via /api/places
Census-tract environmental health and chronic disease burden across Tennessee from CDC PLACES. Asthma, COPD, cancer, cardiovascular, and air-quality impact.
CDC PLACES is the first national project to map chronic disease rates, health behaviors, and prevention measures at the census-tract level. For Tennessee it shows where asthma, COPD, cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are concentrated — often overlapping with industrial corridors (downriver Detroit, southwest Detroit, central Saginaw) and historic redlining areas.
- Find your census tract's health profile at https://www.cdc.gov/places/
- If you live in a high-asthma area, ask your doctor about an asthma action plan and free MDHHS home-visit programs.
- EPA EJScreen maps cumulative environmental risk on top of this data: https://www.epa.gov/ejscreen
- Detroit residents: free indoor air-quality assessments are available via the Detroit Health Department.