Reps. Allor, LaFave, Rendon, Howell, Afendoulis, Barrett, Brann, Brinks, Chang, Cole, Ellison, Faris, Frederick, Greig, Griffin, Hoadley, Hughes, Kahle, LaSata, Leutheuser, Lower, Lucido, Marino, Moss, Neeley, Pagan, Peterson, Sheppard, Singh, Sneller, Tedder, VanderWall, Webber, Wentworth and Whiteford offered the following concurrent resolution:
House Concurrent Resolution No. 24.
A concurrent resolution to request the federal government release the draft toxicological profile on PFAS, develop a national environmental limit for PFAS, and increase coordination and funding support.
Whereas, Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found in groundwater are a growing concern in Michigan and across the country. To date, certain PFAS have been detected in the water at 15 locations, including 30 individual sites, across the state of Michigan. Nearly half of the other states also have sites where PFAS have been found; and
Whereas, The state of Michigan has been a national leader in efforts to identify the scope of this problem through the establishment of the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) to develop a response strategy using a cooperative approach that coordinates efforts among 10 state departments, local governmental units, and federal and local agencies to address PFAS contamination; and
Whereas, Understanding the risks posed by PFAS based on the most current science is critical to protecting the health of Michigan residents, through increased focus on human data collection and analyses. New research must be conducted and incorporated into our response, including the development of a national standard for exposure that protects the public health; and
Whereas, A draft scientific assessment prepared by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has not been released to the public for comment and is purported to contain information that indicates infants, breastfeeding mothers, and other sensitive populations may be at risk from exposure to certain PFAS at levels lower than what was previously and currently thought; and
Whereas, It is essential the federal government remain transparent in its deliberations on this issue to maintain public trust and protect the public health. Release of the draft assessment will ensure it receives the broadest review from experts across the country so that it may accurately inform decisions at the federal, state, and local level; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That we request the federal government release the draft toxicological profile prepared by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry on PFAS; and be it further
Resolved, That we urge the federal government to ensure states receive the necessary funding to carry out efforts needed to protect the public health and to follow Michigan's example and increase coordination of federal agencies working on this issue to ensure the most effective response; and be it further
Resolved, That we urge the United States Environmental Protection Agency to establish a national, uniform, enforceable limit for PFAS in the environment; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Director of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.