Congress is Moving Closer to Regulating PFAS Contamination

Date: July 27, 2021

Source: News Room

As EPA takes steps to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination, lawmakers from both parties and in both chambers are weighing making those responsible, including the military, industry, and others, clean it up. The Senate Armed Services Committee recently approved its annual defense authorization bill that sets deadlines for the Defense Department (DOD) to test for PFAS and then establish a schedule to clean up the chemicals.

Meanwhile, the House approved comprehensive PFAS legislation [PFAS Action Act of 2021], introduced by Michigan Reps. Debbie Dingell and Fred Upton, that sets a schedule for EPA to address through regulatory actions the two most-studied chemicals in the class, temporarily bars EPA approval of new PFAS, and requires the agency to assess thousands of other substances in the class. While the bill won support from 23 Republicans and 218 Democrats, supporters worry the measure will not fare well in the closely divided Senate. To date, the EPA has only established "health advisory levels" for PFAS compounds.

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