Top stories of 2018 in greater Grand Rapids - MLive.com

1. PFAS: Continued investigation in Kent County

Garret Ellison | MLive.com

1. PFAS: Continued investigation in Kent County

Lawsuits, voluntary blood tests and stalled plans for municipal water were among the developments in 2018 during the ongoing investigation into PFAS contamination in Kent County. 

The local developments this year were part of MLive's larger look at the contamination in many locations across Michigan.

Ingestion of PFAS has been linked in human studies to some cancers, thyroid disorders, elevated cholesterol and other diseases.

Cancer, thyroid problems plague Wolverine dump neighbors

All known PFAS sites in Michigan

PFAS: Hundreds sue Wolverine for damages

Neil Blake | MLive.com

PFAS: Hundreds sue Wolverine for damages

Following revelations of local drinking water contaminated by Wolverine World Wide with toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a number of residents and some municipalities took legal action earlier this year against the global shoemaker. 

Hundreds of local residents are suing Wolverine as individual plaintiffs in Kent County Circuit Court for lost property value and health issues caused by the contamination.

Those court cases are ongoing. 

3M wants out of Wolverine PFAS litigation

Judge orders Wolverine to produce records at lawsuit kickoff

PFAS: Stalled negotiations on long-term water solution

Neil Blake | MLive.com

PFAS: Stalled negotiations on long-term water solution

PFAS: Blood draws begin in Kent County

PFAS: Blood draws begin in Kent County

This fall, the Kent County Health Department and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services embarked on joint venture to draw blood from up to 800 people in Kent County who've been exposed to toxic PFAS chemicals in their drinking water.

The exposure assessment compares local PFAS levels among those exposed through contaminated drinking water to national averages. 

If the blood levels are higher, an epidemiological study, which would examine possible links between chemical exposure and specific diseases, could follow.

Blood draws to begin in Wolverine PFAS investigation area

2. Police-community relations: Ongoing discussion

Another continuing story in Kent County is the relationship between the Grand Rapids Police Department and the community. 

In 2017, the department made national news twice after officers handcuffed black youth at gunpoint. 

Researchers that year, using 2013 to 2015 traffic stop data, also revealed that black drivers were about twice as likely to be stopped by police in Grand Rapids than non-black drivers.

Those issues led to an ongoing conversation about ways to improve the relationship between the police and the community it serves.

Black drivers twice as likely to be stopped by Grand Rapids police

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