Stevens Introduces Bill to Keep Forever Chemicals Out of Our Air

Today, Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) introduced the Prevent Release of Toxic Emissions, Contamination and Transfer (PROTECT) Act, which would direct the EPA to issue a final rule to add PFAS chemicals to the list of hazardous air pollutants and thus trigger the process for the EPA to set emission reduction standards for these dangerous chemicals. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL) are original co-sponsors of the bill.

“Forever chemicals are harmful to people and the planet,” said Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI). “I’m proud to introduce the PROTECT Act to empower the EPA to implement emission reduction standards for forever chemicals. This is a vital step toward ensuring the air we breathe is clean and our environment is protected.”

“PFAS are pervasive, man-made chemicals that pose an urgent threat to public health and our environment,” said Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) And the number of contaminated sites is growing at an alarming rate throughout Michigan and across the country. 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.”

"All Americans have a right to clean air, free from hazardous and harmful chemical emissions," said Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), co-chair of the Congressional PFAS Task Force. " Per- and polyfluoroalkyl contamination remains a serious public health and environmental threat to our communities in Bucks and Montgomery counties and others across the nation. Our bipartisan legislation would require these ‘forever chemicals’ to be properly designated and regulated under the Clean Air Act, ensuring that the next generation is protected from the damaging health effects of PFAS.”

“Our communities can't wait,” said Rep. Rashida 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.”

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. The 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.

Congresswoman Haley Stevens is a member of the bipartisan House PFAS Task Force. 

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