On December 1, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the PFAS Act (S.231). The legislation was passed by the U.S. Senate earlier this year and now heads to the president’s desk where it will be signed into law. The bill directs the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish guidance, education programs and best practices to protect firefighters and other emergency response personnel from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from firefighting foam and prevent the release of PFAS into the environment.   PFAS are synthetic chemicals that have been used in a variety of commercial, industrial and military applications. Studies have shown that exposure to PFAS is harmful to human health and the environment and is highly durable.   Under the PFAS Act, FEMA will develop a curriculum to:  Reduce and eliminate exposure to PFAS from firefighting foam and personal protective equipment (PPE)  Prevent the release of PFAS from firefighting foam into the environment  Educate firefighters and other emergency response personnel on foams and non-foam alternatives, PPE and other firefighting tools and equipment that do not contain PFAS  Counties are dedicated to addressing concerns related to PFAS exposure and protecting the health and wellbeing of our residents and employees. Counties continue to urge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal agencies to complete and release studies of the human health and environmental impacts of PFAS and recommend action. Furthermore, counties call on Congress to provide additional resources to address PFAS.  

2022-12-08

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2023-01-30