On March 28 the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee will hold a hearing at 10 A.M. entitled “Examining the federal response to the risks associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).”
Additionally, Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), the chairman of the Energy Committee, will announce their intention to introduce legislation next week. The bill, dubbed the Protecting Military Firefighters from PFAS Act, would require the Defense Department to include blood testing for PFAS as part of routine physicals for military firefighters. A companion bill will be introduced in the House as well.
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. The chemicals at issue are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, which were manufactured by 3M, DowDuPont, and other companies.
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, making it easier to recover cleanup costs from the companies that made them. Both bills have bipartisan support.
Additionally, Rep. Harley Rouda (D-CA), chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Environment, said he would favor going a step further and passing legislation that forces the EPA to enact legally enforceable drinking water standards.
They’ve been linked to numerous health problems and are extremely resistant to biodegrading, which has earned them the nickname “forever chemicals.” Rouda and other lawmakers said the administration’s timelines for regulating PFAS contamination are too unspecific.
Meanwhile, East Coast and West Coast states are approaching different aspects of PFAS contamination.
West Coast states have focused on getting a family of ubiquitous chemicals out of pizza boxes and popcorn bags, but are starting to turn their attention to East Coast states’ top priority: limiting the contaminants in drinking water.
PFAS have triggered different reactions from state governments from coast to coast. States and the EPA don’t agree on what levels are safe in drinking water, and different states have focused on different routes of exposure. California and Washington state have prioritized warnings for consumer goods, while East Coast states are setting enforceable standards for the chemicals in drinking water. (Bloomberg BNA, 3/21/19)
The hearing will be live-streamed, so you can watch it by clicking here if you are interested. In addition, witness statements should be posted closer to the hearing as well.
