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Pennsylvania State Senate
09/05/2024 07:25 AM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?SPick=20230&chamber=S&cosponId=41328
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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: August 28, 2023 04:18 PM
From: Senator Katie J. Muth
To: All Senate members
Subject: Banning Use of PFAS in All Applications
 
In the near future, I will be introducing legislation to ban the intentional use of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in all industrial applications with an exclusion for essential uses as defined by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
 
PFAS are a group of manufactured “forever” chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s because of their useful properties. There are thousands of different PFAS, some of which have been more widely used and studied than others.
 
Current peer-reviewed scientific studies have shown that exposure to certain levels of PFAS may lead to:
  • Reproductive effects such as decreased fertility or increased high blood pressure in pregnant women.
  • Developmental effects or delays in children, including low birth weight, accelerated puberty, bone variations, or behavioral changes.
  • Increased risk of some cancers, including prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers.
  • Reduced ability of the body’s immune system to fight infections, including reduced vaccine response.
  • Interference with the body’s natural hormones.
  • Increased cholesterol levels and/or risk of obesity.
Maine enacted legislation in July 2021 that prohibits the selling of any product containing intentionally added PFAS beginning in 2030 unless the use of PFAS in the product is specifically designated as a currently unavoidable use by the Department of Environmental Protection. The law requires manufacturers of products with intentionally added PFAS to report the intentionally added presence of PFAS in those products to the Department beginning January 1, 2025. 

My bill would be modeled after Maine’s legislation with a more condensed phase-out period and also require all companies to report all current applications and uses of PFAS to the DEP and DOH. The report would include the description of the product; the purpose for PFAS use in the product; the amount of PFAS used in the product; and contact information for the manufacturer. The legislation would also give DEP the ability to levy fines for non-compliance with the provisions of the ban.
 
It is time that Pennsylvania protects our residents, our environment and our drinking water from the dangers of PFAS.
 
I hope you will join me in cosponsoring this legislation.




Memo Updated: August 28, 2023 04:19 PM