Michigan Bill Introduced To Study Long Term PFAS Effects

PFAs have been used in many products for years to make them nonstick or waterproof and just like many other things in our world, these products were used and implemented before we had the full scope of their capabilities and effects. This slight oversight has led to some concerns down the road and now many people are asking the government to do something about it.

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The alarms started to ring back in 2017 when PFAs were discovered in residential wells near an old industrial dumping site near Rockford and have since been found in many other cities around the Michigan. State Senators and many other Michigan residents who had never heard of PFAs felt blindsided by the discovery and wanted more answers.

Naturally, many people began researching PFAs and the knowledge they gained was nothing short of terrifying. They learned that the "forever chemicals" don’t break down and can remain in a person’s bloodstream well after contamination. They also believe the chemicals are linked to certain cancers and other illnesses, but the full scope of their health implications is unknown.

Michigan Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Study Long Term PFAs Effects In Children

This led State Senator Mark Huizenga, R-Walker and state Representative Julie Rogers, D-Kalamazoo to introduce Bipartisan companion bills aimed to find out more about how PFAS will impact children who have been exposed.

If the bill passes, $500,000 would be allocated for free blood testing that could otherwise cost people hundreds of dollars. That testing can give children and their parents answers about personal health and create a scientific record and database of information as PFAS continues to be detected in sites around the country.