
Time for MA to ban toxic PFAS
Broad coalition calls for passage of PFAS bill before session ends on July 31, 2024.

MASSPIRG’s Deirdre Cummings led a State House briefing highlighting the harmful effects of PFAS contamination and the need for legislative action.
She was joined by lawmakers, firefighters, and municipal, public health and environmental leaders, as well as Massachusetts residents whose water has been contaminated by the so-called ‘forever chemicals.’ Massachusetts State Representative Kate Hogan and State Senator Julian Cyr also shared details about legislation (An Act to protect Massachusetts public health from PFAS) that aims to clean up existing PFAS contamination and prevent future contamination in the Commonwealth.
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.
“PFAS are causing real harm,” said Joanne Skokan, of Nantucket, whose well water tested at over 5 times the legal limit for PFAS. “Some of the houses in our neighborhood had PFAS levels that were 30 times the limit. We drank the water for years, we are all worried about the health impacts on ourselves and our children.”
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.

From left to right: David Melly, ELM; Deirdre Cummings, MASSPIRG; Dr. Abigail Bline, Silent Spring; Alison Field-Juma, OARS, Rep. Kate Hogan; Sen. Julian Cyr; Richard McKinnon, Professional Firefighters of MA; Connor Read, Easton Town Manager; Jason Burns, Last Call Foundation and a Fall River firefighterPhoto by TPIN staff | TPIN
“This bill will protect firefighters from occupational cancer by removing PFAS from our turnout gear and reducing our exposure to these harmful chemicals,” said Paul Jacques, Legislative Agent for the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM). “We face many risks fighting fires, but worrying about the safety of our gear should not be one of them.”
Read more local stories about the impact of PFAS contamination.
The bill is supported by a bipartisan list of 110 bill cosponsors
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