Washington, DC —Today, Rep. Ron Kind joined fellow members of the bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force in urging President Biden to take immediate steps to protect communities from harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS chemicals pose serious health risks, including thyroid, kidney, liver, heart, and reproductive problems. 

Reports have shown high levels of PFAS, found in textiles, packaging, personal care products and firefighting foam, in water across the country including right here in Wisconsin’s Third Congressional District. Most recently, PFAS levels above recommended standards were discovered in at least 40 private wells within the Town of Campbell near the La Crosse Regional Airport on French Island. These findings are part of an ongoing study of well and groundwater sampling that began in October 2020 after PFAS contamination was found in two City of La Crosse wells.   

“The health and safety of Wisconsinites is always my highest priority, which is why I’m calling on President Biden to take steps to address the growing PFAS pollution crisis,” said Rep. Ron Kind. “PFAS substances pose serious risks to both human health and the environment, and are far too common in our drinking water because of their widespread use. It’s critical that the Administration take immediate action to protect communities across Wisconsin from these harmful chemicals and ensure safe drinking water.”  

Rep. Kind is a member of the bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force. During the 116th Congress, Rep. Kind joined 58 of his colleagues in calling for robust funding in the Fiscal Year 2021 spending bill to help communities across Wisconsin address PFAS and ensure clean water. Rep. Kind was also a cosponsor of the PFAS Right to Know Act, which would add PFAS to the TRI Toxic chemicals list and would make it possible to alert communities that are exposed to PFAS so they can take protective action, and the PFAS Action Act, which would require the EPA to designate all PFAS substances as hazardous.  

 

Read the bipartisan letter here 

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