Deirdre Cummings
Legislative Director, MASSPIRG
617-747-4319
[email protected]
Legislature advances bill to phase out PFAS in firefighting protective gear
Media Contacts
BOSTON – The Massachusetts Legislature advanced An Act relative to the reduction of certain toxic chemicals in firefighter personal protective equipment, S.2902/H.4975 early this morning, which, if passed, will phase out the use of toxic PFAS in firefighters protective gear.
The bill still needs a final procedural step–“engrossment”– before it is formally passed and sent to the Governor for final approval to become law.
MASSPIRG Legislative Director Deirdre Cummings, released the following statement:
“It’s good news that the Massachusetts House and Senate advanced a bill to protect firefighters from PFAS in their turnout gear. Firefighters put their lives on the line to protect us in an emergency, and we must make sure the gear they wear will protect them.
“While there is still a lot we need to do in Massachusetts to protect the public from toxic PFAS, this measure, if passed and signed by the Governor, would be an important step in protecting firefighters and their families from exposure to these harmful chemicals.”
Background:
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of chemicals used to make products stain proof, water resistant and nonstick. Toxic even at very low levels, these chemicals increase risk of cancers, immunosuppression, liver disease and more.
When products containing PFAS are manufactured and disposed of, PFAS seeps into the soil, groundwater and drinking water. In Massachusetts, at least 171 public water systems in 96 cities and towns, and many private wells, have exceeded the state’s legal limit for PFAS.
MASSPIRG, along with firefighters and a broad coalition of public health, consumer, and environmental organizations are working to pass HB 4486, filed by Rep. Kate Hogan and Sen. Julian Cyr. The bill would phase out the use of PFAS in products including food packaging, childrens’ products, firefighter protective gear, and personal care products; restrict industry discharges of PFAS, and the spread of PFAS-containing sludge on farmland; and set up a fund to help communities test and treat PFAS contamination in drinking water, soil, and groundwater.
