LANSING, Mich. (Oct. 27, 2021) — Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) has issued the following supportive statement after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Directive 2021-08 today, which calls for state departments to minimize purchasing products that contain PFAS.
“This is a step in the right direction. By effectively reducing the purchasing of products containing PFAS, Governor Whitmer is prioritizing the health and safety of state workers and Michiganders. Sure, it’s nice that my eggs don’t stick to the pan in the morning, but these toxic, ‘forever chemicals’ endanger our health and pollute the water and wildlife around us. Now it’s up to the Legislature to follow the governor’s lead, ban PFAS and protect all Michiganders from the serious, long-term dangers of these chemicals.”
PFAS have been linked to several adverse health effects including testicular cancer, high cholesterol, low infant birth weights, compromised immune systems, kidney cancer, infertility, and thyroid hormone disruption. On July 15, Sen. Irwin introduced Senate Bill 591 to ban toxic PFAS, BPA, and phthalate ‘forever chemicals’ from the manufacturing and sale of food packaging in Michigan. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality, where it has not yet been acted upon.
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