VIDEO: Peters Convenes Field Hearing in East Lansing to Examine Efforts to Clean Up PFAS Contamination in Michigan

Statement

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, convened a field hearing in East Lansing to examine federal efforts and coordination with state and local governments to clean up and prevent contamination from per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS), as well as the impact that exposure to these toxic chemicals has had on servicemembers, first responders, families, and other Michiganders. At Peters' request, senior federal officials from the Department of Defense (DOD), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) came to Michigan to testify about how federal agencies are working to address PFAS contamination across Michigan, including at military sites. Peters also hosted current and former Michigan residents, representing state and local perspectives, who testified about the devastating impacts of PFAS exposure, and how the federal government can better coordinate with state and local governments to tackle the crisis.

"These chemicals continue to pose significant risks to our communities, and more than 2 million Michiganders have been exposed to these toxic chemicals in their drinking water. In particular, servicemembers, first responders, their families, and residents of communities surrounding military sites across Michigan have continued to face sustained exposure to PFAS. These folks, many of whom served our country, deserve better," said Senator Peters during his opening statement. "I have pushed for the federal agencies responsible for PFAS contamination to take a more proactive approach to addressing this crisis."

Peters continued: "Michiganders are continuing to suffer the consequences of exposure to these hazardous chemicals, and the government must do more to protect the health of our communities. I will continue pushing the federal agencies that are responsible for PFAS contamination to take additional steps to help affected communities clean up these sites."

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