Protect Fire Fighters from PFAS Chemicals

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Image of firefighters and a foam extinguisher putting out fire.

Protect Firefighters from PFAS Chemicals!

Legislation (Senate Bill 144) is being considered in Harrisburg that simply limits, rather than ends, the use of PFAS laden firefighting foam in Pennsylvania, thereby continuing to put our fire fighters and communities at potential risk of exposure and contamination.

The bill recently passed the State Senate and is now being considered by the State House.

Take Action! Email your representative today and tell them to vote NO on SB 144 and work instead toward completely banning the use of firefighting foam that contains PFAS in Pennsylvania.

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CLEAN WATER ACTION

Diamond Building, 100 Fifth Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: (412) 765-3053

1315 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (215) 545-0250

Contact Your Legislators:

Contact your PA Legislators!

Subject: Oppose SB 144

Message:

Please vote NO on SB 144. While the bill is well intentioned in its efforts to address firefighting foam containing PFAS, by only limiting rather than ending its use we’ll continue to put Pennsylvania’s communities and firefighters at potential risk of exposure and contamination. An immediate and complete ban is needed and justified based on current information about PFAS laden foam and because there are many effective PFAS-free alternative replacement products available. Policies along this line have passed in 10 states while the International Association of Fire Fighters has also been supportive of similar efforts at the federal level. Specific areas of concern with SB 144 include: • Allowing the continued use of Class B foam containing PFAS at testing facilities that have “appropriate containment” does not adequately prevent future exposures to PFAS, as the foam can be carried by air and water when used in the open and is virtually impossible to fully contain. This approach also shifts the burden of responsibility to firefighting entities, including the possibility of their being liable for contamination that occurs. • Saying it’s acceptable to continue using this foam under any circumstances also puts firefighters at risk of exposure- an exposure that could lead to the development of cancer and other devastating disease. • Language that reinforces the manufacture, sale or distribution of class B firefighting foam that contains an intentionally added PFAS chemical creates the perception that legislators back its continued need and puts Pennsylvanians at risk. • While there’s direction for the State Fire Commissioner to assist firefighting entities with phasing out the use of Class B firefighting foam containing PFAS, there’s a lack of a specific timeline for when this will occur, or how the Commonwealth will support firefighting entities financially with replacing existing PFAS laden foam, or how the Commonwealth will ensure the PFAS laden foam is disposed of in a safe and environmentally friendly way. Please oppose SB 144 and instead work toward completely banning the use of firefighting foam that contains PFAS.

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CLEAN WATER ACTION

Diamond Building, 100 Fifth Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: (412) 765-3053

1315 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (215) 545-0250

Protect Firefighters from PFAS Chemicals!

Contact Your Legislators:

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