Dear Neighbor,
I’m happy to announce my support for and co-sponsorship of a comprehensive nine-bill package aimed at addressing the growing PFAS crisis in Michigan. This legislation reflects a coordinated effort to protect public health, support impacted communities and prevent further contamination across the state.
PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” are widely used in industrial processes and everyday consumer products. People can be exposed through contaminated drinking water, food, household items and even dust. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to elevated levels of PFAS has been linked to serious health concerns, including reproductive issues, developmental delays in children, increased risk of certain cancers and reduced immune system effectiveness.
Michigan continues to see a troubling rise in contamination sites. In 2024, there were 280 known PFAS sites statewide. Today, that number has increased to 338. Each of these sites represents more than just a statistic — it reflects real families and communities facing serious challenges, from unsafe drinking water to long-term health concerns and economic hardship.
The impact of PFAS contamination is being felt across the state. Families have faced devastating health diagnoses, farmers have lost generational land and communities have had to quickly adapt after discovering their water sources are no longer safe. In many cases, residents have been forced to install costly filtration systems or rely on new municipal water connections.
To help address these issues, I am supporting the following legislative efforts introduced by my colleagues:
- EGLE Notification & Testing Bill (Rep. Skaggs): Requires the state to notify households within one mile of a potential PFAS investigation site.
- Hazardous Products Ban (Rep. Tsernoglou): Prohibits intentionally added PFAS in a wide range of consumer products and allows consumers to take legal action if violations occur.
- Hazardous Products Ban Trailer (Rep. Foreman): Companion legislation supporting enforcement.
- Grant Program for PFAS-Impacted Farmers (Rep. Conlin): Provides financial assistance to farmers dealing with contamination, including support for health care, land costs and cleanup efforts.
- Farmer Grant Program Trailer (Rep. Conlin): Companion legislation.
- PFAS Ban in Cosmetics and Personal Care Products (Rep. MacDonell): Prohibits harmful chemicals, including PFAS, in cosmetic and personal care products.
- Biosolids Regulation (Rep. Mentzer): Requires testing of sewage sludge for PFAS before it is applied to land.
- Codifying MPART (Rep. Tsernoglou): Establishes the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team in law to continue tracking and responding to contamination.
- Codifying CAWG (Rep. Brixie): Establishes the Citizens Advisory Working Group in law to ensure community voices remain part of the response.
This package of bills represents an important step toward addressing PFAS contamination in Michigan. By focusing on prevention, accountability, transparency and support for those affected, these efforts aim to create safer communities and a healthier future for all Michiganders.
I remain committed to advocating for policies that protect the health, safety and well-being of residents across the state.
In service,
Peter Herzberg
State Representative
House District 25