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WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) released the following statement in support of the EPA’s proposed action to establish the first-ever national drinking water standard for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). 

“This is an important step by the EPA to take serious action to remove and keep PFAS out of our homes and out of our drinking water. With this proposed standard, the EPA is demonstrating their commitment to protecting Americans from the growing and urgent public health threat of PFAS. I look forward to continuing to work with the EPA to make sure we’re addressing all harmful PFAS chemicals, and appreciate this significant action to address the most notorious contaminants.” 

The proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation will establish legally enforceable levels for six PFAS chemical compounds—including the most notoriously harmful variants, PFOA and PFOS—known to appear in drinking water. The proposed rule would require public water systems to monitor for these PFAS, notify the public of the levels of these PFAS, and reduce the levels of these PFAS in drinking water if they exceed the proposed standard. 

The EPA is requesting public comment on the proposed regulation. Rep. Dingell encourages all communities impacted by PFAS to submit feedback to the EPA during the public comment period.

Dingell has long led the fight against PFAS as the sponsor of the PFAS Action Act, which includes establishing a strong national drinking water standard. Additionally, Dingell introduced the Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act, No PFAS in Cosmetics Act, and Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances (PFAS) Act in past Congresses. Last summer, the EPA announced it would designate two of the most widely used and notoriously harmful PFAS substances as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), a key pillar of Dingell’s bipartisan PFAS Action Act.