COLUMBUS, Ohio State officials will oversee a sweeping survey of the states water supply to test for potentially harmful, man-made chemicals by the end of next year, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWines office announced Monday.

The state EPA will coordinate testing with 1,500 local public water systems that provide water to 90% of Ohioans, while the state health department will work with local health departments on reaching out to the rest of Ohioans who get their water from private sources.

The survey is looking to detect per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a family of 4,000 chemicals which some studies have linked to harmful health effects. If testing reveals PFA contamination, state officials will help local officials formulate a response, according a statewide action plan released Monday.

The announcement comes nearly two months after DeWine called for the plan.

We must fully evaluate the prevalence of PFAS in Ohios drinking water to protect public health and the states natural resources, DeWine said in a Monday statement. This plan is the first step in learning if the chemicals have a widespread presence."

PFAs have been used for decades in stain- and water-resistant fabrics and carpeting, cleaning products, paints, and fire-fighting foams. And in some instances, theyve been federally approved for limited use in cookware, food packaging and processing, according to the FDA.

They have been referred to as forever chemicals since they do not break down easily in the environment or in the human body.

While scientific research into the health effects of PFAS exposure is still developing, some studies have shown risks could include liver damage, thyroid disease, elevated cholesterol, decreased fertility and small decreases in birthweight, among other issues.

Last year, when DeWine was Ohio attorney general, he sued chemical giant DuPont, alleging that a company plant near Parkersburg, West Virginia dumped a PFAS chemical called c8 into the Ohio River since the 1950s despite knowing of the health risks it caused.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established a health advisory level of 70 parts per trillion for PFAS in drinking water. But earlier this month, DeWine and 14 other governors sent a letter to both the U.S. Senate and House Armed Services Committees calling for more federal action against PFAS contamination in and around military bases.

Some states have already set or are considering setting drinking-water limits far lower than that.

A copy of the states action plan can be viewed here. The state also has set up a website, https://epa.ohio.gov/pfas, with more information about PFAS. The site includes information about health risks, prevalence and options for drinking water home-treatment options.

cleveland.com reporter Jeremy Pelzer contributed to this report

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