Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed into law on Thursday a measure that prohibits the use of chemicals known as PFAS in firefighting foam, which is used to suppress fires. The language was included in Senate Bill 804, legislation to phase out harmful chemicals in intravenous (IV) bags and other medical devices.
The new law restricts the manufacture, sale and distribution of PFAS in firefighting foam in Pennsylvania starting in July 2027, and the use of them starting in January 2028, with exceptions including airports, chemical plants and oil refineries.
There are thousands of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, which are man-made chemicals used in everyday products, such as food packaging, stain-resistant carpets and non-stick cookware. The Environmental Protection Agency considers them “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment or the human body. PFAS are linked to cancer and other health issues.
“We know that a major historic source of that is PFAS in firefighting foams,” said Stephanie Wein, clean water and conservation advocate at the PennEnvironment Research and Policy Center, a nonprofit group that advocated for the law.
“That’s why you see big contamination sites near airports and military bases and firefighting training centers or even places where you have one big fire one time, and then you have contamination in the groundwater for decades to come,” she said.
Widespread contamination of PFAS in Pennsylvania
High levels of PFAS were found in the Montour Run watershed near the Pittsburgh International Airport, which has a firefighting training center. A recent PennEnvironment report found PFAS in 96% of rivers and streams tested throughout the commonwealth.
PFAS has also contaminated drinking water sources.
“Often due to their presence in firefighting foam, PFAS have been found in drinking water across the commonwealth, from Willow Grove in southeastern Pennsylvania and Emmaus in the Lehigh Valley to Moon Township in Allegheny County,” Wein said.
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Bipartisan Support
The bill was sponsored by both Republicans and Democrats, in collaboration with firefighters, emergency responders and the industry, and was passed with a nearly unanimous vote in the legislature.
“This to us feels like a really important first step and it was exciting to see it not just get over the finish line, but over the finish line with such tremendous bipartisan support,” said Wein.
More than a dozen states have passed similar laws, and Congress started phasing out military use of PFAS in firefighting foam in 2020.
“This bill is a commonsense response that has already been adopted by many states,” said Senator Gene Yaw (R-23) in a press release. “It will undoubtedly protect firefighters moving forward, while also safeguarding our ground and surface water from contamination.”
This bill requires the safe disposal of PFAS-containing firefighting foam, overseen by the state fire commissioner and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
The personal protective equipment (PPE) firefighters wear can also contain PFAS chemicals.
“Their qualities make them very effective as a water repellant which is applied to fire fighters’ personal protective equipment and the base of extinguishing agents,” said Adam Perreault, a fire fighter and the Political/Legislative Director for International Association of Fire Fighters Local 302 in Allentown, when he testified before the legislature about the bill in 2023. “Basically, we are in direct, prolonged contact with PFAS daily.”
The bill that passed this week requires manufacturers of PPE to put on a warning label if it contains added PFAS chemicals.
“We have a responsibility to protect those who protect us,” said Sen. Nick Miller (D-14), co-sponsor of the bill, in a press release.
