U.S. lawmakers announced the creation of a bipartisan task force Wednesday to fight PFAS chemicals. A majority of the members on the task force are from Michigan.
PFAS are a family of chemicals that have been found in things like certain types of fire-fighting foam and stain and water repellants. They have been linked to serious health concerns.
Congressman Dan Kildee is on the task force. He says Michigan – as the Great Lakes State - needs to take charge of this issue.
“We have to protect our lakes, our rivers, our streams because it kind of defines who we are.”
The idea is to educate members about PFAS and then come up with legislation and policy changes – like regulation of products with PFAS and resources for site cleanup.
The task force also includes Representatives Fred Upton, Andy Levin, Jack Bergman, Haley Stevens, Elissa Slotkin, Rashida Tlaib, Debbie Dingell, and Brenda Lawrence.
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—Cheyna Roth is a reporter for the Michigan Public Radio network. Contact WEMU News at 734.487.3363 or email us at studio@wemu.org
