Kildee introduces legislation establishing PFAS coordinator within the Department of Defense

BY KYLE DAVIDSON, MICHIGAN ADVANCE

MICHIGAN—In an effort to support communities impacted by PFAS and ensure accountability from the United States Department of Defense (DoD), US Reps. Dan Kildee (D-Flint) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) have introduced legislation to create a new position at the DoD aimed at improving transparency, driving remediation and uplifting the voices of communities contaminated with PFAS. 

Also known as forever chemicals, PFAS are a group of substances that break down very slowly and have been linked to a number of negative health effects including liver damage, increased risk of asthma and thyroid disease, increased cholesterol, changes in the immune system, fertility issues alongside pregnancy induced hypertension and preeclampsia, as well as increased risk of certain types of cancer, such as testicular and kidney cancer.

“Hundreds of military sites in the United States have been contaminated by PFAS, yet complaints from impacted communities have fallen on deaf ears at the Department of Defense,” said Kildee, who is retiring this term. “By designating a Coordinator for Engagement with PFAS-impacted defense communities at the DoD, our legislation would ensure that the voices of communities directly impacted by PFAS contamination are heard at the highest levels of government.”

Under Kildee’s and Fitzpatrick’s bill, the DoD’s new coordinator for PFAS-impacted defense engagement would be in charge of direct engagement with communities impacted by PFAS contamination, to address concerns, ensure accountability and provide updates on efforts to remediate the contamination. The coordinator would also help streamline communication between local stakeholders, advocacy groups and federal agencies and drive progress on cleanup efforts with transparency and urgency.

“PFAS contamination is one of the most serious and far-reaching public health crises of our time, and alongside Congressman Kildee, tackling it has been at the heart of our work in Congress,” Fitzpatrick said. “Our bipartisan legislation demands decisive action and transparency from the Department of Defense, ensuring that impacted communities are no longer ignored or left in the dark. Families in Pennsylvania’s First District and across the nation deserve swift solutions and the unwavering commitment of their government to protect their health, safety, and future.”

READ MORE: Michigan Dems announce bills banning PFAS in household products

This coverage was republished from Michigan Advance pursuant to a Creative Commons license.