Stabenow, Peters Urge Congress to Provide Funding for Critical Water Contamination Study

Press Release

U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters today urged the Senate Appropriations Committee to provide funding for a critical study on the health impacts of exposure to chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). In Michigan, residents across the state are dealing with the aftermath of finding unsafe levels of these chemicals in their lakes and drinking water. PFAS have been linked to cancer as well as thyroid, kidney, liver, and reproductive problems. They have been discovered in the Belmont area and in and around Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Sawyer Air Force Base, the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Camp Grayling, and the Escanaba Defense Fuel Supply Point.

"I'm deeply concerned that our families and service members have been exposed to contaminated water across Michigan, including in and around several military bases," said Senator Stabenow. "It is critical that we understand the health risks of this contamination so that people can be protected and health issues can be addressed for those who have been exposed."

"Michigan families and our men and women in uniform who were unknowingly exposed to unsafe levels of dangerous chemicals deserve the best treatment we can give them," said Senator Peters. "This study will help determine the full impact of this contamination on Michiganders' health so that we can prevent further exposure and ensure that any affected family can get the treatment they need."

Last summer, the Senate passed a measure in the National Defense Authorization Act championed by Stabenow and Peters that authorized the Department of Defense to conduct this study. Congressman Dan Kildee and bipartisan members of the Michigan delegation in the House of Representatives also sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee calling for funding for this study.

Source