Bill offers firefighter PFAS protection

Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced Wednesday a bill to protect firefighters from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighting foams.

The Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances (PFAS) Act of 2019 has garnered Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee passage. The measure would direct federal agencies to develop best practices, training, and educational programs to reduce, limit, and prevent exposure to PFAS, which are also known as forever chemicals because they do not naturally breakdown.

“Firefighters work tirelessly to keep our communities safe, regularly putting themselves at risk to save the lives of others,” Peters, ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said. “As we learn more about the dangers of PFAS exposure, it’s our responsibility to help protect the health and safety of those who put their lives on the line in defense of others.”

Gardner said Colorado firefighters and emergency responders, as well as those nationwide risk everything to protect communities, and lawmakers must ensure they are educated on the best ways to avoid and mitigate any PFAS exposure during emergency response and training activities.

“This bipartisan legislation will provide resources to help educate our first responders and limit PFAS exposure, and I’m glad to see it approved by the Homeland Security Committee today,” he said. “PFAS contamination is a serious issue facing our communities, and I will continue working to make sure Coloradans are provided with the most up to date information concerning PFAS as research regarding their effects on human health continues.”

The bill would also require guidance to be issued on alternative foams and personal protective equipment that do not contain PFAS.