Washington, D.C. – Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet released the following statement after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado will receive $3.9 million in research grants to improve the understanding of human and ecological exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), chemicals that have contaminated drinking water sources in Colorado and across the country.
“Colorado families deserve safe and clean drinking water,” said Bennet. “As a result of the strong advocacy of communities affected by PFAS, the Air Force is now transitioning away from using materials containing the chemicals. But significant challenges remain, including how to effectively clean the water and the extent of the effects on public health. The Colorado School of Mines has long been engaged on this critical issue, and we are fortunate to have their leadership in developing research to address these concerns.”
In 2015 elevated levels of PFAS caused from fire retardant foam used at Peterson Air Force Base were measured in drinking water in the communities of Fountain, Security, and Widefield. Bennet successfully secured $10 million for the nationwide Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study in the 2018 omnibus package. He also secured an additional $44 million in funding for Air Force environmental restoration and remediation in the 2018 omnibus package, a significant amount of which was used for remediation around Peterson AFB. Finally, Bennet demanded the Trump administration, specifically the CDC and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, release the results of a study regarding what levels of certain chemicals are safe in drinking water.
More information on Bennet’s efforts to address the health effects, cleanup, and reimbursement issues associated with PFAS is available HERE.