WASHINGTON – Today Reps. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) and Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) introduced two bills that aim to reduce contamination at military installations from the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS .
The first bill, led by Slotkin and Kiggans, would require the Department of Defense to move more quickly to take interim actions to slow the spread of PFAS plumes at military bases with confirmed contamination.
The second bill, the Prioritizing PFAS-Free Cleaning Products Act, led by Slotkin and Mace, would direct the DoD to buy PFAS-free cleaning products as verified by the Environmental Protection Agency through its Safer Choice program.
The following is a statement from Jessica Hernandez, policy director for government affairs at the Environmental Working Group:
EWG applauds Reps. Slotkin, Kiggans and Mace for prioritizing the urgent cleanup of Defense Department installations contaminated with toxic “forever chemicals.” We also salute them for trying to shield people from unnecessary exposure to PFAS – including the service members, their families and civilian employees who work or live on base.
More than 600 DoD sites are contaminated with PFAS, yet little progress has been made to stop the spread of contamination and protect the drinking water of Defense communities. The Slotkin-Kiggans bill would ensure swift protection, requiring that safe water be provided when PFAS contaminates on-base water supplies.
The DoD maintains over 2.3 billion square feet of buildings worldwide. Maintenance of these buildings must not come at the expense of our service members’ health. The Slotkin-Mace bill takes a stand against the pervasive PFAS contamination of military buildings.
Promoting PFAS-free products as the Slotkin-Mace bill would, not only protects health but also drives innovation. More than 98 percent of PFAS-free cleaning products are manufactured by 326 U.S.-based companies.
We are hopeful progress will be made in the final Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act after the House and Senate conference.
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The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
