Help build support for critical PFAS legislation in Michigan
Communities across Michigan continue to grapple with the impacts of toxic PFAS contamination. Exposure to toxic PFAS chemicals through drinking water, everyday consumer products, and firefighting foam has been connected to severe health problems, including kidney and thyroid issues, reproductive complications, and cancer.
The Michigan legislature has introduced legislation that would help address the toxic PFAS crisis impacting our communities. With lawmakers back in their home districts for summer recess, now is our time to make it clear to our state representatives and senators that Michigan needs comprehensive policies regulating the use of toxic PFAS chemicals and limiting Michiganders’ exposure to them.
This summer, we are working to build broad support for the following bills that have been introduced in Lansing so that lawmakers make them a top priority when they return to session in the fall:
-
House Bill 5241/Senate Bill 610: Would create a cause of action for medical monitoring for Michiganders exposed to PFAS
-
House Bill 5244/Senate Bill 611: Would extend the statute of limitations for PFAS contamination sites
-
House Bill 5657: Would require the disclosure of PFAS in products and eliminate PFAS in household products, firefighting foam, and all nonessential uses
-
Senate Bill 327: Would eliminate PFAS from food packaging
These bills are a great start, but we can – and must – do even more to support people most harmed by PFAS contamination in Michigan. Our state lawmakers can protect our health by introducing legislation that does the following:
-
Improve contamination notification procedures and access to clean water for private well owners
-
Ensure PFAS blood testing is covered by health insurance
-
Support Michigan farmers impacted by PFAS contamination by creating a PFAS Farmer Relief Fund
-
Ensure the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) and the Citizen Advisory Workgroup (CAWG) remain adequately funded
READ: 2024 GLPAN’s Priority Bills & Policies →
Please use the resources in this digital toolkit to raise awareness and tell your lawmakers that now is the time for action to address the toxic PFAS crisis in Michigan and protect the health of impacted communities!
Core Messages
-
Exposure to PFAS chemicals is linked to serious health issues, including increased rates of cancer, developmental and reproductive harm, and other diseases. Protecting public health requires urgent action to eliminate these toxic chemicals from our environment and everyday products.
-
In addition to exposure to PFAS from everyday household products, Michigan has 285 sites known to be contaminated with PFAS. This widespread contamination poses a significant threat to the health and safety of Michigan residents.
-
Michigan communities and families impacted by PFAS often lack access to the information and resources they need to protect themselves. Legislation must ensure better contamination notification procedures, health insurance coverage for PFAS blood testing, and adequate support for those affected.
-
Michigan farmers impacted by PFAS contamination need support to mitigate the financial and environmental damage caused by these chemicals. Establishing a PFAS Farmer Relief Fund will help farmers recover and continue to provide safe, healthy food for our communities.
-
Ensuring the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) and the Citizen Advisory Workgroup (CAWG) remain adequately funded is essential for effective monitoring, response, and remediation efforts. Codifying MPART and CAWG into law will empower these organizations to protect public health and hold polluters accountable.
Actions you can take
-
Send a message to your lawmaker based on the core message or with our one-click action tool.
-
Share this toolkit and get your friends, neighbors, and family involved.
-
Spread the word on social media based on the core messages or using sample posts below.
Sample Social Media Content
Here are some social media posts that you can share to your own channels, as well as some sample social media copy to use along with the shareable graphics.
Click here to share this post on Facebook →
-
PFAS exposure is linked to cancer, developmental harm, and other serious health issues. Michigan communities need urgent action to eliminate these toxic chemicals from our environment and everyday products and protect our health #ProtectMI #PFAS
-
Michigan has 285 sites contaminated with PFAS, posing a serious threat to residents. Michiganders need action NOW to protect our communities and our health from these harmful chemicals #ProtectMI #PFAS
-
Many Michigan families impacted by PFAS lack the resources they need to protect themselves. We need better PFAS policy for quicker and more expansive contamination notifications, blood testing coverage, and support for impacted communities #ProtectMI #PFAS
-
Michigan farmers impacted by PFAS contamination need support to mitigate the financial and environmental damage caused by these chemicals. Establishing a PFAS Farmer Relief Fund will help farmers recover and continue to provide safe, healthy food for our communities. Let’s support our farmers! #ProtectMI #PFAS
-
Ensuring the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) and the Citizen Advisory Workgroup (CAWG) remain adequately funded is essential for effective PFAS monitoring, response, and remediation efforts. Together we can protect public health and hold polluters accountable #ProtectMI #PFAS
Tell your lawmaker: Support comprehensive PFAS legislation to protect Michigan communities
Tell your lawmaker to support House Bill 5241/Senate Bill 610, House Bill 5244/Senate Bill 611, House Bill 5657, Senate Bill 327, and comprehensive PFAS policies to protect Michigan communities. TAKE ACTION!
Additional Resources
Website: www.glpan.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/greatlakesPFASaction
Contact: Erica Bloom, Toxics Campaign Director, Ecology Center: bloom@ecocenter.org