Last week, a bipartisan pair of representatives from Michigan — Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI) and Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI) — introduced legislation that would authorize funding to test for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in air, soil, and waterbodies nationwide.
The PFAS Detection Act (H.R. 7284) would authorize $50 million over the next five years for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to test for PFAS contamination, with priority given to the testing of drinking water sources near sites with known or suspected PFAS pollution. Results of the tests would be shared with Congress as well as with the Environmental Protection Agency. The bill would not give USGS any authority to conduct testing on treated drinking water.
Because Congress is expected to wrap up soon, it is not expected to see any action this year, but its sponsors could reintroduce the measure early next year when the 116th Congress gets underway.
