WASHINGTON, D.C. (Michigan News Source) — A new bill being proposed by U.S. Michigan representatives aims to have gaseous PFAS chemicals recognized as an air pollutant under the Clean Air Act.

Currently, the Clean Air Act, a law originally passed in 1963, requires the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate over 188 hazardous air pollutants, but the list does not include any per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

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Democrat Michigan representatives Haley Stevens, Debbie Dingell, Rashida Tlaib, and Hillary Scholten, along with other representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Mike Lawler (R-NY), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA), introduced the bill, entitled the PROTECT Act, on Thursday.

“Michigan communities have lived with PFAS contamination for too long. The PROTECT Act closes dangerous loopholes in how these toxic chemicals are regulated, strengthens oversight of PFAS air pollution, and holds polluters accountable,” said Stevens in a statement. “This is about protecting the public health and safety of every Michigander and delivering real results for Michigan families.”

PFAS chemicals are most commonly found in wastewater and groundwater surrounding industrial plants, but PFAS chemicals can also be released into the air during the manufacturing process, although at much lower levels, according to the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team.

The PFAS Action team has detected PFAS in Michigan air, but at low levels. The current Michigan aerosol PFAS levels are not expected to pose a significant health risk, according to the website, especially compared to the harmful effects of ingestion of PFAS through water or food.

In addition to adding PFAS to the list of hazardous substances, the PROTECT Act would set standards for how much PFAS could be in the air and regulate industries and facilities which release PFAS into the air.