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Washington, DC– Today, Reps Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Bill Posey (R-FL), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced H.R. 2605, the Prevent Release of Toxic Emissions, Contamination and Transfer (PROTECT) Act, a bill that would direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to add PFAS chemicals to the list of hazardous air pollutants under section 112(b) of the Clean Air Act.

“PFAS are pervasive, man-made chemicals that pose an urgent threat to public health and our environment. And the number of contaminated sites is growing at an alarming rate throughout Michigan and across the country,” said Rep. Dingell (D-MI). “I’m proud to be a partner on the bipartisan PROTECT Act—also included in the PFAS Action Act—which will finally address the threat of PFAS in the air we breathe by adding it to the list of hazardous chemicals under the Clean Air Act.

 “PFAS is a major environmental crisis facing Michiganders,” said Rep. Stevens (D-MI). “We still have a lot to learn about the extent of PFAS contamination and the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to PFAS chemicals. In order to adequately and effectively address this threat, we need to acknowledge PFAS as an environmental hazard and conduct much-needed research so that we fully understand the danger that PFAS contamination poses to Michiganders. I am proud to introduce the PROTECT Act, because the risk of air contamination must be taken as seriously as water contamination.”  

“PFAS chemical contamination is a public health and environmental crisis that impacts millions of Americans, including many communities in my district,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick (R-PA). “The EPA must take comprehensive action to address these harmful forever chemicals, and they can start by classifying toxic PFAS chemicals as hazardous air pollutants under the Clean Air Act.”

“Our communities can't wait,” said Rep. Tlaib (D-MI). “The federal government needs to act quickly to protect our communities from PFAS forever chemicals. The PROTECT Act will spur EPA action to regulate PFAS as a hazard to our health and jumpstart cleanup efforts – with the polluters footing the bill."

“Our communities can't wait. The federal government needs to act quickly to protect our communities from PFAS forever chemicals. The PROTECT Act will spur EPA action to regulate PFAS as a hazard to our health and jumpstart cleanup efforts – with the polluters footing the bill,” said Rep. Posey (R-FL). 

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been detected at airports, military bases, firehouses and fire training facilities, waste-water treatment plants, and other industrial sites. Exposure to PFAS chemicals has been linked to cancer and other illnesses. A report found that Michigan has the highest number of PFAS contamination sites in the nation.  PFAS has been prevalent in the water supply, but it is also emitted into the air. Researchers don’t yet know much about the sources and amount of PFAS air emissions.. This bill would help the EPA in its mission by adding PFAS chemicals to the list of hazardous air pollutants under Section 112(b) of the Clean Air Act.

Dingell is a member of the bipartisan House PFAS Task Force.