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Defense Department Inspector General to Review Use of PFAS Chemicals at Military Sites

October 15, 2019

Congressional PFAS Task Force, in Bipartisan Letter, Previously Urged Defense Department Inspector General to Examine PFAS Chemical Contamination

In response to efforts by Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-04), the U.S. Department of Defense's Inspector General has indicated they will review DOD's use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at military sites. Congressman Kildee and Congressman Fitzpatrick are co-chairs and founders of the bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force and previously asked the DOD Inspector General to review.

On July 25, 2019, the Congressional PFAS Task Force led a bipartisan group of lawmakers in sending a letter to the Defense Department Inspector General asking the office to examine the Defense Department's use of PFAS at military sites. The Inspector General's office responded to Congressman Kildee and Fitzpatrick that they will be launching a review of the Defense Department's use of PFAS at military sites in Michigan and around the country.

"Families in Michigan and across the country continue to grapple with the consequences of PFAS chemical contamination in their communities. Due to the Defense Department's use of these dangerous chemicals, many service members and their families are at risk of exposure and the subsequent health effects. It's long past time for the Defense Department to prioritize clean-up of these dangerous chemicals," said Congressman Kildee. "I was proud to lead this bipartisan group of lawmakers asking the Inspector General for an investigation and I'm pleased they will be conducting an independent review."

"It is unacceptable that the Defense Department put the health of Pennsylvania families at risk with these chemicals, whether it was intended or unintended. Every American has a right to clean drinking water. The federal government created this health crisis and it is important that the government is starting to take responsibility." said Congressman Fitzpatrick. "I'm happy to see that the Inspector General will be further reviewing this issue and look forward to seeing their report."

As the co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force, Congressman Kildee and Fitzpatrick work to more urgently address the public health threat of PFAS to better protect communities from the harmful effects of these dangerous chemicals. Kildee has introduced legislation to speed up clean-up efforts, expand health care to veterans and detect PFAS contamination at other sites across the country.