Where the bill stands: This bill will have a public hearing on March 8 in the Environment Committee.
BILL SUMMARY:
Section 1: definitions. Maintains the science based (non-industry) definition of PFAS
Subsection (b): By January 2027, requires a manufacturer selling any product containing PFAS to report to DEEP. Several criteria etc for reporting are included.
- This is good because it gives DEEP and hopefully, CT residents information on all products that contain PFAS.
By January 2026: No sale or distribution of 1) apparel, 2) carpets or rugs, 3) cleaning products, cookware, cosmetics, dental floss, fabric treatments, children’s products, menstrual products, textile furnishings, ski wax or upholstered furniture if the product contains intentionally added PFAS.
- This is exactly what we requested. Consumer products not only are a high source of exposure to these toxic chemicals but contaminate our environment on disposal.
- CT has already banned firefighting foam and food packaging that contains PFAS so we did not need to include those.
- Other states are (ME, MN, NY etc) have banned many of these products.
- There are many alternatives for each of these products already in commerce so this should not be detrimental for consumers.
By January 2032: no person may sell, offer for sale or distribute for sale in this state any product that contains intentionally added PFAS, unless the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection determines, by regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general statutes, that the use of PFAS in such product is a currently unavoidable use.
- This is the same timeframe and language passed by other states.
TALKING POINTS FOR TESTIMONY:
What are PFAS: PFAS are a class of more than 12,000 chemical variations all having at least one fluorine-carbon bond. These synthetic chemicals are used in consumer products and industrial processes to make things anti-stick, anti-stain, wrinkle proof, water resistant.
Health impacts of PFAS: Strong evidence linking PFAS (even some newer versions) to many serious diseases including but not limited to, kidney and testicular cancer, liver damage, high cholesterol and possibly liver cancer, thyroid disruption, reproductive disorders including low birth weights, ulcerative colitis and impaired immune function and resistance to vaccines.
Environmental impacts: There is growing concern about the presence of PFAS in drinking water sources. A USGS 2023 study 45% of the nation’s tap water is estimated to have one or more PFAS chemicals.1 The US EPA is currently proposing significantly lower standards for certain PFAS in drinking water due to health concerns.
Known as forever chemicals because they don’t break down in the environment, these chemicals have contaminated fish and wildlife, bioaccumulated up the food chain and are found across the globe.
Connecticut residents in Killingworth, Greenwich have had PFAS in well water. Fish advisories were placed on the Farmington River in 2019 after firefighting foam spilled into the river, impacting fisherman and recreation for months and later in 2021, fish advisories were issued on parts of the Hockanum River.
It is highly probable that as more monitoring is done, the more PFAS contamination will be found in urban and industrial areas, near landfills, rural areas and farms if contaminated sludge was used, and in water sources.
State why this is important to you!
Testing and remediation will be costly and take time. We must simultaneously restrict further contamination from PFAS. Banning consumer products that contain these chemicals not only reduces exposure but prevents new sources of contamination.
Any way to make your testimony personal has a big impact!!
