Gillibrand reintroduces bills combating PFAS

WASHINGTON, D.C. | U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has reintroduced two bills to combat dangerous per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination and help support communities that have been significantly exposed to these chemicals. The bipartisan, bicameral Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act would help address PFAS contamination at the source. The bicameral PFAS Accountability Act would give victims of significant PFAS exposure legal recourse to sue PFAS manufacturers and would allow courts to award medical monitoring for early detection and treatment of diseases connected to PFAS. "'Forever chemicals' like PFAS are a dangerous threat to the environment and public health," said Sen. Gillibrand. "For years, companies have knowingly released toxic chemicals that have devastated families and communities. Those companies must be held accountable for their actions, and New York waterways must be protected from further contamination. These two bills will help address PFAS contamination at the source and deliver real justice for the victims of PFAS pollution in New York and across the country." PFAS chemicals are widespread contaminants found in many industrial applications, firefighting foam, and a variety of consumer products. PFAS exposure is linked to an array of health problems, including various cancers, reduced immune function, reproductive challenges, birth defects, thyroid problems, and more. According to the Environmental Working Group, over 1.3 million New Yorkers have concerning levels of PFAS in their drinking water. The bipartisan Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act would set deadlines and require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop water quality criteria and establish effluent limitation guidelines and standards (ELGs) for PFAS in industrial discharges from eight priority categories using its existing authority under the Clean Water Act. The legislation is led by Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH-01) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) in the House, and it is endorsed by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). The PFAS Accountability Act would allow victims of significant PFAS exposure to sue PFAS manufacturers, and it would make it easier for courts to award medical monitoring for early detection and treatment of adverse health conditions related to the exposure. The legislation would also incentivize funding for PFAS safety research. The PFAS Accountability Act is led by Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), along with Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Jerry Nadler (D-NY-12), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12) in the House. This legislation is endorsed by Waterkeeper Alliance, American Association for Justice, Buxmont Coalition for Safe Water, Environmental Working Group, Green Science Policy Institute, National PFAS Contamination Coalition, Southern Environmental Law Center, NRDC, and the Union of Concerned Scientists. A leader in the fight against PFAS, Sen. Gillibrand has long advocated for and championed legislation to protect the public from dangerous PFAS chemicals. In July, she introduced the bipartisan DOD PFAS Discharge Prevention Act, which would reduce drinking water pollution and exposure to toxic forever chemicals for firefighters, service members, and communities by facilitating better monitoring and implementing best management practices of PFAS at Department of Defense (DOD) installations. In previous years, she successfully pushed to phase out DOD's use of firefighting foam containing PFAS, and she passed legislation to expedite the testing, cleanup, and remediation of PFAS at some of the most contaminated U.S. military installations. The text of the Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act can be found here. The text of the PFAS Accountability Act can be foundhere.

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Gillibrand reintroduces bills combating PFAS

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