To direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to issue guidance on minimizing the use of firefighting foam containing PFAS, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-hr-4381
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7]
Introduced: 2021-07-09
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Environmental regulatory procedures

Fires

First responders and emergency personnel

Hazardous wastes and toxic substances

Law enforcement officers

Worker safety and health
Latest action: action_date: 2021-07-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-07-09
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to issue guidance on minimizing the use of firefighting foam and other equipment that contains perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS, to minimize the risk to firefighters, other first responders, and the environment, without jeopardizing firefighting efforts. PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain PFAS, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing.</p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4381 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 9, 2021 Mrs. Fletcher introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to issue guidance on minimizing the use of firefighting foam containing PFAS, and for other purposes.

1. Guidance (a) In general Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in consultation with the head of the U.S. Fire Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, and other relevant Federal departments or agencies and representatives of State and local building and fire code enforcement jurisdictions, shall issue guidance on minimizing the use of firefighting foam and other equipment containing any PFAS by firefighters, police officers, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and other first responders, in order to minimize the risk to such firefighters, police officers, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and other first responders, and the environment, without jeopardizing firefighting efforts. (b) Definition In this Act, the term PFAS means a perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance with at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom.