As of January 31, 2021, a flurry of legislation has been proposed in at least 13 States restricting or banning PFAS in Fire Fighting Foam and Chemical Retardants. In most fire fighting foams prior to 2020, PFAS were present in FLUORINATED FOAM AFFF.
In a few states, the proposed legislation requires buy-backs and refunds for products sold past defined cut off dates, which vary slightly state by state.
Most notable is the speed at which action is being requested with most authors of the proposed bills stating they want to the new laws effective in 2021 and no later than January 2022.
Lobbyists and Fire Fighter groups have been calling on states and regulators to eliminate all PFAS from foams and fire retardant clothing for some time now.
It's been well reported that the long term effect of the “forever chemicals” produced with PFAS are unhealthy to the environment and to people, possibly even carcinogenic.
Another topic and something to watch for will be “How” and “Where” these chemicals get removed and destroyed. An unknown for this author….Just how hot does a fire have to burn to eliminate “forever chemicals” if those chemicals are highly effective at extinguishing fires? We’ll keep an eye on those topics more….
To learn about State Legislation and proposed PFAS Bills, visit: www.saferstate.org/bill-tracker
Avenues ARE LLC is a Distributor of Fluorine FREE Fire Fighting Foams, CAFs (Compressed Air Systems), and Absorbents. USA Made, Non-Toxic, Non-Corrosive, Biodegradeable. Visit us at www.AvenuesARE.com
*As reported on Feb. 2, 2021. Information subject to change. Avenues ARE LLC is not affiliated or compensated for reprinting or reporting news or blog posts.