MADISON, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS) – A bill imposing new restrictions on the use of firefighting foam containing chemicals known as PFAS is heading to Gov. Tony Evers' desk.

Research suggests PFAS chemicals can decrease female fertility, increase high blood pressure in pregnant women, lead to lower birth weights, and even cause cancer.

Under the bill passed by the Senate and Assembly Tuesday afternoon, firefighting foam containing PFAS would be prohibited except for emergency fire situations.

Democrats say the foam restrictions would accomplish almost nothing.

They want the Department of Natural Resources to come up with regulatory standards for PFAS.

“We also know there's a better bill that is more comprehensive that really gets at creating a standard for the state to move forward on that's going to protect citizens throughout the state of Wisconsin so, again, an acknowledgment by having a bill that we're going to vote on but really not going forward and being unwilling to support a more comprehensive solution,” State Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) said.

Republicans say the bill is just a start and more legislation will be coming.

“There are known health risks associated with PFOA and PFOS,” State Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette) said. "There are thousands of other PFAS chemicals and compounds that are out there that we don't have a lot of information on, so their bill basically regulates all of them the same way even though we don't have the science yet.”

Gov. Evers can now sign the bill into law or veto it.

Improving water quality has been a priority for the Evers administration.

The governor signed an executive order in August directing the DNR to develop regulations on PFAS.