GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A local lawmaker is voicing his concerns on a proposed bill regarding PFAS.
State senator Dave Hansen of Green Bay held a press conference Tuesday on a measure that would require the University of Wisconsin-Madison to study PFAS contamination and the Department of Natural Resources to develop emergency rules for certifying laboratories to test for the presence of PFAS.
PFAS, or polyfluoroalkyl substances, are man-made chemicals used in a variety of non-stick products such as fire-fighting foam. According to the CDC, PFAS can increase cancer risk, affect growth,learning, and women’s fertility.
Sen. Hansen objected to the bill being pushed by State Rep. John Nygren, saying the bill needs to call for increased standards and restrictions of the chemicals.
“An amendment they say is a step in combating the growing PFAS crisis. Unfortunately, if the amendment were to become law, it is not a step forward, but in fact, a few steps back in our effort to protect our children around the state from drinking water poisoned by PFAS,” Hansen said.
Speaker Robin Vos released a statement regarding the amendment.
He says the amendment is part of the action necessary to prevent further contamination and praised it for providing funding for testing and clean water. Vos says the proposal also takes advantage of the UW system to further research the impact of PFAs on the human body.
This session, the Assembly has taken swift action to prevent the flow of PFAS into the environment and provide clean water to residents affected by PFAS contamination. Rep. John Nygren led the Assembly response to the PFAS concerns.
The amendment that advanced in the Assembly establishes funding to test water for PFAS and provides clean water to Wisconsin residents affected by PFAS contamination. The proposal also directs the UW System to look at all available research and science to determine safe levels of PFAS in the human body, groundwater, and drinking water, so that we can make decisions based on the best information to protect human health.
The Assembly approved two other PFAS bills: 2019 Act 101, which narrowly restricts the use of firefighting foam containing PFAS to emergencies and AB 792, which will help local governments safely dispose of firefighting foams with PFAS.
