Protect Connecticut families from dangerous PFAS chemicals

Testimony of Chris Phelps, State Director, Environment Connecticut 

Before the Connecticut General Assembly Environment Committee

March 8, 2024

RE:  SB 292 AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF PFAS IN CERTAIN PRODUCTS

Senator Lopes, Representative Gresko, Senator Harding, Representative Callahan, and members of the Environment Committee, my name is Chris Phelps. I am state director of Environment Connecticut, a nonprofit, nonpartisan environmental advocacy organization. Together with our colleagues at Environment America and state environmental groups across the nation, we advocate for clean air, clean water, clean energy, open spaces and a safe climate. 

Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony supporting SB 292, An Act Concerning the Use of PFAS in Certain Products. 

Toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” are a significant threat to our environment and public health. We are all familiar with the massive spill of PFAS-containing firefighting foam into the Farmington River a number of years ago. That event raised public awareness of the dangers of PFAS accumulating in our environment. More recently, a drumbeat of discovery of PFAS in drinking water across the state has increased public awareness of the problem of PFAS contamination and has increased the urgency for policy makers to take action to turn off the flow of PFAS into our environment by getting PFAS out of commerce in our state. 

SB 292 builds upon previous action by the General Assembly to remove PFAS from firefighting foam and food packaging. Beginning in 2026, this bill prohibits PFAS from being included in certain types of consumer products sold in the state, such as cosmetics, children’s products and textiles. The bill also requires anyone selling or distributing products containing intentionally added PFAS to submit information on such products and their use of PFAS to the commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Finally, beginning in 2032 the bill prohibits the sale of any product containing intentionally added PFAS unless the commissioner determines that the use of PFAS in such products are unavoidable. 

SB 292 represents a significant step forward towards reducing exposure to PFAS for people and wildlife in Connecticut. With passage of this legislation, Connecticut would join other states such as Maine, Colorado, Minnesota more who are taking action to cut the flow of toxic PFAS into our environment. 

Thank you again for the opportunity to comment in support of this important legislation. On behalf of Environment Connecticut’s statewide membership, we urge you to support SB 292.

Sincerely,
Chris Phelps
State Director, Environment Connecticut