[Press Release] Dingell, Fitzpatrick, Ryan Introduce PFAS Action Act

December 14, 2023

Read the full article by Debbie Dingell

"Today, Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Pat Ryan (NY-18), along with 13 additional members of Congress, introduced comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to protect Americans and the environment from harmful forever chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The bill would establish a national drinking water standard for select PFAS chemicals, accelerate designation of PFOA and PFOS chemicals as hazardous substances, which EPA has recently proposed, limit industrial discharge, and provide $200 million annually to assist water utilities and wastewater treatment, among other provisions.

PFAS chemicals are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic—and can be found in some level in nearly everyone’s bodies today. These chemicals have been linked to harmful human health effects, including increased cholesterol levels, changes in liver enzymes, decreases in infant birth weights, and increased risk of certain cancers.

“PFAS is an urgent public health and environmental threat. In Michigan we know this too well, and the number of contamination sites nationwide is growing at an alarming rate, including our military bases,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “The PFAS Action Act takes a comprehensive approach to tackle this crisis and protect the American people from the long-term dangers that forever chemicals pose. Setting drinking water standards, designating PFAS as hazardous substances under the EPA’s Superfund program, limiting industrial discharge and providing funding for water treatment will support the clean-up process in communities across this nation and prevent the further spread of forever chemicals. The House has passed this bill twice with strong bipartisan support and my hope is this Congress we can finally get it done.”