Dan Kildee: “I thank my friend for yielding. Mr. Chair, for many years, the Air Force used perfluorinated chemicals in its compound…”

“I thank my friend for yielding. Mr. Chair, for many years, the Air Force used perfluorinated chemicals in its compound for firefighting foam, but in the past few years, very high levels of these PFCs have been discovered in the fish near the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, Michigan, which is in my district. Tests have revealed the presence of PFCs as well in the groundwater that people who live near the former Air Force base depend upon. The CDC and the EPA have both said that PFCs can be potentially harmful to people's health, though there is still not clear guidance as to what is a safe level of exposure, especially in the long term; although, there is great concern on this question. I have asked the Air Force as well as the State of Michigan to provide bottled water to those identified individuals who are living near Wurtsmith whose water may be contaminated by PFCs at least until more research is done on the safety of their water. My amendment would require the Department of Defense to do whatever it can to prevent further exposure to PFCs. {time} 1600”