Lawmakers have reintroduced legislation which aims at protecting firefighters and the communities they serve from PFAS and other dangerous chemicals.
The Protect Firefighters from Adverse Substances (PFAS) Act was introduced in the Senate Feb. 4 by Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, and other lawmakers. The PFAS Act was also introduced in the last Congress and was passed by the Senate, but didn’t pass the House.
The bill would direct federal agencies to develop training and best practices to limit exposure to PFAS in fire departments nationwide.
PFAS are often referred to as “forever chemicals,” since they are extremely difficult to break down.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are contaminants that can cause health concerns such as thyroid disease, kidney and testicular cancers as well as higher levels of cholesterol. According to the EPA, PFAS can be found in stain- and water-repellent fabrics, nonstick products, polishes, waxes, paints, cleaning products and fire-fighting foams.