Bipartisan PFAS Action Act would solve important piece of toxic puzzle

Media Contacts
Bart Johnsen-Harris

Environment America

WASHINGTON — U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Dan Kildee (D-MI), and Fred Upton (R-MI) have introduced a House bill to combat toxic pollution from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The PFAS Action Act would require the EPA to classify all PFAS chemicals as “hazardous substances” under the Superfund program within a year. Bart Johnsen-Harris, clean water advocate for Environment America, issued the following statement:

“Toxic PFAS chemicals contaminate water from Michigan to North Carolina, poisoning our waterways and endangering up to 110 million Americans. Reps. Dingell, Kildee, and Upton’s PFAS Action Act would solve an important piece of this problem as we work toward a full and comprehensive solution.

“Congress must prioritize passing the PFAS Action Act into law. If PFAS are reclassified, EPA would get additional Superfund resources to clean up contamination and could hold companies financially accountable for their PFAS pollution.

“PFAS chemicals—used widely for nonstick cookware, water-repellent clothing, firefighting foam, and more—present significant threats to our health. Research has shown probable links between PFAS exposure and cancer, immune system deficiencies, high cholesterol, low fertility, and developmental issues in children and infants. Moreover, the health impacts of PFAS are magnified because they accumulate in the food chain and persist for a long time in the environment.

“The companies that released these toxic chemicals should be held accountable for cleaning up the mess. Each day we delay is a day these poisons threaten our children.”

 

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Environment America is the national federation of statewide, citizen-based advocacy organizations working for a cleaner, greener, healthier future.