U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) today took part in a roundtable discussion on the need to support federal level efforts to set public health standards around per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and sufficiently fund efforts to help communities deal with existing contamination issues. After the roundtable, the BlueGreen Alliance released the following statement from Midwest Regional Field Organizer Richard Diaz:

“The negative health impacts of aging infrastructure are undeniable. Improperly managed water infrastructure exposes communities—and disproportionately low-income and communities of color—to harmful chemicals such as lead, arsenic, and PFAS.

“Repairing, rebuilding, and modernizing water infrastructure has the potential not only to improve public health, but to create high-quality jobs across the nation. This means increased numbers of steelworkers, utility workers, painters, and other union workers to manufacture, maintain, and operate these systems. We thank Rep. Kind for today’s discussion on this important priority.”