On April 10, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) introduced the PFAS Registry Act of 2019 in the Senate, and Reps. Chris Pappas (D-NH), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Antonio Delgado (D-N.Y.) and Annie Kuster (D-NH) introduced a companion bill in the House.
This legislation would create a national database for service members and veterans experiencing health problems possibly due to contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This database would allow registrants to receive updates on recent scientific developments on the effects PFAS, availability of possible treatment options, and information on what resources may be available to address their health concerns.
On March 28, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee held a hearing entitled “Examining the federal response to the risks associated with PFAS.” This hearing included testimony from EPA Office of Water Assistant Administrator David Ross. Opening statements from Committee Chair John Barrasso (R-WY) and Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-DE) show a growing concern in Congress of the long lasting effects of and risks associated with PFAS.
Momentum in Congress is building on both sides of the aisle for legislation that would force the EPA to act earlier than planned on a class of toxic nonstick chemicals that have contaminated drinking water across the country. Earlier this year, bills in both the House and the Senate (H.R. 535 and S. 638) were introduced that would force the EPA to place some kinds of these chemicals on a list of hazardous substances. Both bills have bipartisan support.
Earlier this year, Sens. Shaheen and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), the chair of the Energy Committee, introduced the Protecting Military Firefighters from PFAS Act (S.858) which would require the Defense Department to include blood testing for PFAS as part of routine physicals for military firefighters.
Additionally, WEF and NACWA recently produced a two-pager on PFAS expressing our concerns and asks to Congress and the EPA.
