TIME’S UP FOR TOXIC PFAS “FOREVER CHEMICALS” IN MARYLAND

Guest post by Anne Cottingham, ANS Member & Volunteer.

This year the Maryland General Assembly decisively tackled the problem of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) in the state! Unanimous bipartisan legislation (HB275. SB273) passed this session will prohibit the future manufacturing, sale, and distribution of paper food packaging, and new rugs and carpets, containing these PFAS chemicals. It will also require switching to different firefighting foams and fire-fighter personal protective equipment without these PFAS.

 Why focus on PFAS? This class of more than 4000 man-made chemicals was developed in the 1940s to be resistant to water, fire, oil, grease, water, and stains. These properties have led to the use of PFAS chemicals in protectant formulas and surface coatings for many products, e.g., non-stick coatings (cookware), stain- and water-resistant fabrics and carpets, food packaging, dental floss, cosmetics, cleaning products, construction materials, paints, and firefighting foams (Read more in MD and PFAS and WSSC PFAS).

The public health and environmental risk associated with PFAS exposure is an emerging and evolving concern (read more in EPA). While some PFAS chemicals have been more widely used, and studied, than others, a common characteristic of these “forever chemicals” is that they do not break down in the human body or the environment, including waterways. Given the widespread use of PFAS chemicals and their persistence in the environment, the U.S. EPA concludes that most people in the U.S. have been exposed to some PFAS, with “most known exposures” being relatively low (read more in CDC). EPA further notes that exposure to high levels of some PFAS can cause increased risk of some cancers, harmful effects on human reproduction and development, and problems with the human immune system, e.g., reduced vaccine response. Human exposure may result from drinking contaminated water or foods (such as fish), using contaminated products, or occupational exposure for firefighters or workers in PFAS manufacturing and processing facilities.

Federal law currently does not regulate the monitoring or treatment of PFAS (Read more in MDE Report on PFAS). Ongoing state efforts to quantify and manage the risks of PFAS chemicals in Maryland have produced findings about some contaminated drinking water sources and temporary, localized fish consumption advisories.Looking ahead, the new legislation should bolster these efforts by providing a framework to mandate the clean-up of existing PFAS contamination as well as prevent new PFAS contamination of Maryland waterways and drinking water.

We are therefore incredibly excited to have seen this year’s MDGA 22 pass PFAS / George “Walter” Taylor Act (HB275 – SB273) and hence move Maryland closer to eliminating harmful “forever” chemicals from our environment.  We look forward to similar toxic chemicals from being eliminated from consumption and use so people and wildlife in Maryland can live better and healthier lives.

 

Read more on ANS’s 2022 Maryland General Assembly Wrap Up here.

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