WARMINSTER, September 7, 2024 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, joined state Reps. Brian Munroe (D-Bucks) and Greg Scott (D-Montgomery) yesterday to host a joint policy hearing discussing proposals to address the use of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in industrial and consumer applications.
The hearing, held at the Warminster Township Building in Bucks County, featured two panels of discussion that highlighted public health impacts caused by PFAS and policy solutions that could address the use of PFAS – a diverse class of over 15,000 chemicals which are toxic and break down slowly over time yet used widely for household and industrial purposes.
“The joint policy hearing hearing served as a stark reminder that Pennsylvania consumers have no protections against toxic materials in everyday items. As we heard yesterday, these forever chemicals are present in everything from food packaging to cosmetics to furniture,” Muth said. “Other states are taking action to ban the use of these dangerous chemicals, and it is time for Pennsylvania to protect our consumers and protect public health by banning the use of PFAS in our Commonwealth.”
Sen. Muth is working on legislation that would ban the intentional use of PFAS in all industrial applications with an exclusion for essential uses as defined by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. She is also working on legislation that would address the use of PFAS by oil and gas operations in Pennsylvania by specifically requiring testing for PFAS in all oil and gas operations.
“The 144th District, Warminster, Warrington, Ivyland, and New Britain, is one of the most adversely affected areas by forever chemicals in the country. The loss of our drinking water, questions about cancer rates, increased water fees are just a few examples of the impact on our community,” Rep. Munroe said. “The ongoing existence of these products and questions about how to appropriately dispose of them need to be answered.”
Scientific studies have shown that exposure to certain levels of PFAS may lead to reproductive effects in pregnant women, developmental effects or delays in children, and interference with the body’s natural hormones, among other health risks.
“The use of PFAS chemicals in commercial products is a man-made problem—a choice where profit was placed over people. For years, corporations have known the toxic effects these ‘forever chemicals’ have on our health, including causing cancer, infertility, and congenital disorders,” Rep. Scott added.” Communities across Montgomery County and beyond are facing serious and persistent health problems linked to prolonged PFAS exposure. We have a constitutional right to clean air and water, and it is our obligation to fight for the wellbeing of all Pennsylvanians. Now, we have a choice to put people and the environment first, and I’m proud to work with my colleagues to protect consumers from these dangerous substances.”
Rep. Scott has introduced House Bill 2238 which would prohibit the use of PFAS in the manufacture and sale of a broad set of products in Pennsylvania by 2027, including artificial turf, cleaning products, carpeting, cookware, cosmetics, dental floss, fabric treatments, food packaging, infant and children’s products, menstrual products, materials used in oil and gas production, ski wax, and textiles. The bill would also prohibit intentionally added PFAS for products not previously covered starting in 2033, with a set of select exemptions, including medical devices. The bill passed the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee in June but has not been considered by the full House yet.
“The people in my community have seen some of the highest levels of PFAS concentration in the entire nation due to the firefighting foams used on local military bases. Not only have they experienced the health impacts associated with long-term exposure, but, in many cases, they’ve been forced to foot the bill to filter these chemicals from their drinking water. That’s why we must continue our work to reduce unnecessary PFAS contamination and finally hold polluters accountable,” Senator Maria Collett (D-Montgomery) added. “Yesterday’s hearing and testimony are critical to understanding the policy options available to the Commonwealth to achieve those goals.”
Sen. Collett has introduced Senate Bill 612, the Pennsylvania PFAS Classification and Cleanup Act, which would designate certain PFAS, specifically those most widely used in firefighting foams, as “hazardous substances” under the state’s Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act to give harmed parties the standing they need to hold polluters accountable in court. She is also working on legislation to provide the Pennsylvania Attorney General with the jurisdiction to initiate charges against polluters for environmental crimes.
Participants in the hearing included Dr. Thomas Zoeller, Emeritus Professor of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst; Stephanie Wein, PennEnvironment; Ian Louda, Southeast Pennsylvania Legislative Coordinator, Clean Water Action; Gretchen Salter, Strategic Advisor, Safer States; Scott Faber, Environmental Working Group; and Tracy Carluccio, Delaware Riverkeepers Network.
State Rep. Ben Sanchez (D-Montgomery) and Senator Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) also participated in the hearing.
For more information on this policy hearing and to access all submitted testimony and a full recording of today’s hearing, visit www.SenatorMuth.com/policy.