LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Mark Huizenga and Rep. Julie Rogers joined PFAS experts and concerned mothers on Tuesday at the state Capitol to announce bipartisan legislation that would provide free blood testing for children in areas impacted by PFAS contamination.
“I’ve heard from too many parents who are worried about their children’s possible exposure to PFAS and the long-term health effects of these chemicals,” said Huizenga, R-Walker. “After working with impacted families in West Michigan and medical experts, I introduced legislation to provide parents with peace of mind through free PFAS level monitoring. I want to thank my colleagues for making this a bipartisan effort.
“This testing program would be an important step toward fully understanding the extent of the problem facing our communities, better protecting the public and improving vital information and resources provided to impacted families.”
Several years ago, families in Michigan and throughout the U.S. became aware of “forever chemicals” known as perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, after they were discovered in dozens of groundwater systems.
“As a practicing health care professional, I know how serious PFAS exposure is for our communities,” said Rogers, D-Kalamazoo. “Kalamazoo County, Michigan’s first documented PFAS site, still feels that impact. Making sure parents can easily access PFAS testing for their children is essential as we confront this threat together, giving families the knowledge they need to protect their kids’ health.”
Senate Bills 298 and 299, sponsored by Huizenga, and House Bills 4499, sponsored by Rogers, and 4500, sponsored by Rep. Bryan Posthumus, R-Rockford, would provide free PFAS blood testing for children who were younger than 11 years old on Jan. 1, 2012, and lived in homes in Kent, Ottawa and Kalamazoo counties that used well water or water from public water supplies with PFAS levels exceeding the state’s limits.
“Sen. Huizenga’s bipartisan legislation is a vital step forward in helping families affected by PFAS contamination get the testing, answers and support they need,” said Sandy Wynn-Stelt, co-chair of the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network and a member of the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team. “By offering free blood testing for eligible children and funding critical research, this bill brings hope, resources and peace of mind to impacted communities.”
Under the new bills, the state would provide free testing of PFAS levels to all eligible families and additional counseling and information would be provided as necessary. The research study would provide data and future solutions for impacted families.
Physicians would be able to inform eligible families about the PFAS testing and, with strict parental consent, may order a blood test to check for elevated PFAS levels in eligible children.
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Photo caption: Sen. Mark Huizenga, R-Walker, outlines new legislation to provide free blood testing for children in areas impacted by PFAS contamination. Huizenga was joined by Rep. Julie Rogers, D-Kalamazoo, Great Lakes PFAS Action Network co-chair Sandy Wynn-Stelt and concerned mothers at the state Capitol to announce the new bipartisan effort to provide parents with critical information regarding their children’s health.