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A bill to limit the use of firefighting foam containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) was approved by the state Senate recently, according to state Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, and state Sen. Nick Miller, D-Allentown, sponsors of the measure.
According to the news release, the bill would restrict the manufacture, sale, distribution and use of firefighting foam containing PFAS beginning in 2027. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS are man-made chemicals used since the 1940s that can accumulate in the environment and the human body over time, with studies linking exposure to adverse health effects.
"Compared to other emergency responders, firefighters can face significantly higher levels of PFAS exposure, putting them on the front lines of this national public health challenge," Yaw said, according to the news release. "This bill is a commonsense response which has already been adopted by many states. It will undoubtedly protect firefighters moving forward, while also safeguarding our ground and surface water from contamination."
The lawmakers said the bill reflects years of collaboration with fire service leaders, emergency responders and industry representatives since its introduction in 2019. The proposal would allow fire companies to use Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant funding to cover the cost of properly disposing of PFAS-containing foam, the news release said. The state fire commissioner, working with the state Department of Environmental Protection, would oversee safe and environmentally responsible disposal.
The bill includes an exemption for facilities where PFAS-based foam remains necessary for safety, such as airports, chemical plants, oil refineries and sites handling flammable liquids or natural gas. The bill now moves to the House for consideration.