House passes sweeping measures to clean up PFAS contamination

Millions of Americans are worried about toxic PFAS chemicals that have contaminated their drinking water. The federal government is finally responding to their concerns.

Millions of Americans are worried about toxic PFAS chemicals that have contaminated their drinking water. The federal government is finally responding to their concerns.

On July 12, the U.S. House approved legislation targeting toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The bill would phase out one major source of PFAS contamination: firefighting foams used on military bases by 2025. It would also legally designate the chemicals in ways that should spur their cleanup and reduce their discharge into waterways.

A congressional conference committee will resolve the differences between the House bill and a Senate version that would phase out PFAS foams on military bases two years earlier.

“We are gratified to see this congressional race to the top,” said Bart Johnsen-Harris, clean water advocate for our national network. “As Congress reconciles the two bills, the Senate’s stronger military phaseout timeline and the House’s designations should be priorities for the final package.”

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Photo: On July 12, the U.S. House passed sweeping measures to protect drinking water from toxic PFAS chemicals. Credit: Public Domain