Press Releases
Dingell Statement on Michigan Adopting Strict PFAS Drinking Water Standards
Washington,
July 23, 2020
DEARBORN, MI – Today, Congresswoman Dingell issued the following statement after the Michigan legislature adopted maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for seven PFAS chemicals contaminating drinking water in Michigan as proposed by Michigan Department of Environment, Great lakes, and Energy (EGLE): “Through working together and recognition of the critical threat posed by PFAS contamination, Michigan now has some of the nation’s strictest and most comprehensive protections,” said Dingell. “Michiganders take on PFAS with the urgency and seriousness it deserves in the continued absence of federal leadership. PFAS chemicals have been linked to liver disease, weakened immune systems, thyroid dysfunction, and several forms of cancer. These strong MCLs and safe drinking water standards will keep Michiganders safe and help us stop the spread of PFAS contamination in the Great Lakes Basin.” Dingell continued, “However, PFAS remains an urgent threat across our country. Forty-nine states are known to have PFAS contamination. Access to clean drinking water should not depend on which state you live in. We need to set a national safe drinking water standard and take action to clean up contamination at the more than 2,000 locations across the country and this begins with enacting the PFAS Action Act without delay.” Dingell is a leader in Congress on addressing PFAS. Earlier this year, the House passed with bipartisan support the Dingell PFAS Action Act, which would list select PFAS chemicals – PFOA and PFOS – as hazardous substances within one year under the Superfund program to direct federal resources to clean up contaminated sites and limit their spread. It would also require EPA to make a determination on all remaining PFAS chemicals within five years. |