House clears Tillis’ bipartisan bill to protect against toxic PFAS

The U.S. House of Representatives last week approved a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) to help protect the nation’s firefighters and emergency responders from exposure to toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The bill now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law. 

“I applaud the House for passing this crucial legislation and look forward to President Biden signing it into law,” Sen. Tillis said on Monday.

The House on Dec. 1 voted 400-22 to approve the Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances (PFAS) Act, S. 231, which U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) sponsored in February 2021 with six original cosponsors, including Sen. Tillis, as well as U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME). The U.S. Senate in July 2021 gave the bill unanimous consent.

Once enacted, S. 231 requires the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop guidance for firefighters and other emergency response personnel on training, education programs, and best practices to protect them from exposure to PFAS from firefighting foam and to prevent the release of PFAS into the environment, according to the congressional record bill summary.

“Firefighters and first responders put their lives on the line to keep communities safe, and they should not have to worry about being exposed to harmful chemicals like PFAS,” said Sen. Tillis. “This legislation will develop guidelines to keep our first responders safe and limit the introduction of these harmful contaminants into the environment.”

The DHS must consult with the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fire Administration, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health on developing the educational resources, the summary says.