(WWJ) State health officials are out with a new warning concerning the Huron River: Don't swallow the foam.

According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, which previously issued a "Do Not Eat" advisory for fish from the Huron River, foam on the river may contain high amounts of industrial chemicals known as PFAS.

This health warning is being issued as a precaution, officials said, because of high amounts of PFAS found in Huron River surface water and fish, and based on foam test PFAS results from other Michigan waterbodies.

"It is recommended that visitors to the Huron River avoid swallowing foam on the water during recreational activities, though an accidental swallow of water is not considered a health concern," the health department said Tuesday."Residents are also encouraged to wash their hands after touching foam to avoid swallowing PFAS that might be on your hands. Skin contact with the foam or water is not considered a health concern because current science indicates that PFAS do not move easily through the skin."

In addition, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recommends that people not allow their pets – especially dogs – to come into contact with or swallow the foam. Dogs can potentially swallow foam collected in their fur when grooming themselves. If does do go into the river, officials said, they should be thoroughly rinsed off with fresh water.

In case you missed it, the previously-issued "Do Not Eat" fish advisory covers all fish from the Huron River where North Wixom Road crosses in Oakland County to the mouth of the Huron River, as it enters Lake Erie in Wayne County.

This includes: Norton Creek (Oakland County), Hubbell Pond, also known as Mill Pond (Oakland County), Kent Lake (Oakland County), Ore Lake (Livingston County), Strawberry & Zukey Lake (Livingston County), Gallagher Lake (Livingston County), Loon Lake (Livingston County), Whitewood Lakes (Livingston County), Base Line and Portage Lakes (Livingston/Washtenaw County line), Barton Pond (Washtenaw County), Geddes Pond (Washtenaw County), Argo Pond (Washtenaw County), Ford Lake (Washtenaw County), and Belleville Lake (Wayne County).

More information about test results from the Huron River can be found at www.michigan.gov/pfasresponse. For more information about the Eat Safe Fish guidelines, visit www.michigan.gov/eatsafefish.

The Michigan Legislature has enacted $23 million in emergency spending to address contamination by PFAS chemicals, which have been used in many consumer products including carpeting, clothing, upholstery, food paper wrappings and fire-fighting foams.

To learn more about PFAS, what Michigan is doing about it, and possible associated health concerns, visit the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) website -- which is the primary resource for public information on PFAS contamination in Michigan AT THIS LINK.

Residents with health-related questions can call the MDHHS at 800-648-6742. For questions about the environmental investigation, contact the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality at 800-662-9278.