Statement: Bipartisan ban on toxic PFAS in firefighting foam clears first legislative hurdle in Harrisburg in unanimous vote

HARRISBURG – House Bill 1261, which would ban per & polyfluoroalkyl substances – better known as PFAS or “forever chemicals” – in firefighting foam, passed the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee in the Pennsylvania state House today by a unanimous vote.  Introduced by Representatives Brian Munroe (HD-144, Bucks County) and Zachary Mako (HD-183, Lehigh & Northampton County), this phaseout of PFAS in firefighting foam is a critical step towards protecting the health of both our communities and our first responders.

PFAS have been nicknamed ‘forever chemicals’ because they don’t break down in the environment. Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to a wide range of serious health problems including kidney and liver disease, immune system suppression, birth defects and cancer.  In part due to exposure to toxic PFAS, cancer is now the top cause of line-of-duty deaths amongst firefighters.  

It has also been found in drinking water across the commonwealth, from Willow Grove in southeastern Pennsylvania to Emmaus in the Lehigh Valley to Moon Township in Allegheny County.  In some cases,  it only requires PFAS being used once to put out a fire to lead to long-term contamination: nearly 40 years after PFAS-containing fire fighting foam was used to put out a tire fire in Sellersville, Bucks County in 1986, local wells remain contaminated with toxic PFAS.

To address these the threat posed by PFAS, HB 1261 would: 

• Ban the manufacture, sale and distribution of PFAS-containing class B firefighting foam starting July 1, 2026.
• Ban the use of PFAS-containing class B firefighting foam starting Jan 1, 2027.
• Require the warning labels of firefighter turnout gear that contains PFAS, an amendment offered by Representative Greg Scott that passed 15-11.

Stephanie Wein, Clean Water and Conservation Advocate for PennEnvironment, released the following statement:

“Today was a crucial first step toward protecting Pennsylvanians and our firefighters from toxic PFAS.  Given that  effective alternatives exist, this measure is long overdue. It is time for Pennsylvania to join the ranks of the U.S. Department of Defense and the fifteen states from New Hampshire to Alaska in banning PFAS in firefighting foam. PennEnvironment is glad to see the bipartisan support for phasing out these “forever chemicals” and urge our leaders in Harrisburg to pass HB 1261 as quickly as possible.”

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PennEnvironment is dedicated to protecting our air, water and open spaces. We investigate problems, craft solutions, educate the public and decision-makers, and help the public make their voices heard in local, state and national debates over the quality of our environment and our lives. For more information, visit www.PennEnvironment.org.