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House Passes Kildee Amendment Calling on Defense Department to Work with Oscoda Officials to Prevent Perfluorinated Chemicals Exposure

May 18, 2016

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed an amendment offered by Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) expressing a sense of Congress that the U.S. Department of Defense should work with state and local officials in Oscoda, and other parts of the country, to prevent human exposure to perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), a contaminant that may pose a significant health risks to humans.The amendment was adopted unanimously by the House as it considered the National Defense Authorization Act. Congressman Kildee has previously expressed "great concern" over the safety of drinking water in groundwater near Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda after recent positive test results for PFCs affecting some residents. Congressman Kildee's remarks on the House floor before passage of his amendment can be viewed here.

"I am pleased that the House has made it clear that the Department of Defense should work with Oscoda officials to prevent exposure to potentially harmful chemicals in drinking water," Congressman Kildee said. "With recent positive PFC test results in some wells surrounding Wurtsmith Air Force Base, and the unknown impacts of these chemicals, affected Oscoda residents deserve access to safe drinking water until more complete testing is done and their water quality is deemed safe."

Last month, Congressman Kildee visited Oscoda, where he met with local and state officials and called on both the state of Michigan and the Air Force to provide clean drinking water for residents until the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency releases updated provisional health advisory (PHA) levels, additional testing is completed and the water is deemed safe. According to the EPA, PFCs pose a potential risk for kidney and liver damage. There is also potential concern for other health problems, including low birth weight, delayed puberty onset, elevated cholesterol levels and reduced immunologic responses to vaccination. In February, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the local health department issued a joint health advisory stating that homeowners should "seek an alternate water supply for drinking and the preparation of food."

Despite this health advisory, however, neither the state of Michigan nor the Air Force is currently providing alternative drinking water to Oscoda residents. Ongoing water testing is not scheduled to be completed until June 2016. Last month, Congressman Kildee also wrote to the Air Force expressing his concern and raising questions about water quality in the community after recent testing results around the former base showed positive PFC levels.

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Issues:Local Issues