PFAS Action Act of 2021

PFAS Action Act of 2021

This bill establishes requirements and incentives to limit the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS, and remediate PFAS in the environment. PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain PFAS, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing.

The bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to designate the PFAS perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) as a hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, thereby requiring remediation of releases of those PFAS into the environment. Within five years, the EPA must determine whether the remaining PFAS should be designated as hazardous substances.

The EPA must publish human health water quality criteria under the Clean Water Act for each measurable PFAS and class of such substances and establish standards to limit discharges of PFAS from industrial sources into waters of the United States. In addition, the EPA must issue a national primary drinking water regulation for PFAS that, at a minimum, includes standards for PFOA and PFOS.

Among other requirements, the EPA must also issue a final rule adding PFOA and PFOS to the list of hazardous air pollutants, test all PFAS for toxicity to human health, and regulate the disposal of materials containing PFAS. The EPA must also require PFAS manufacturers to submit analytical reference standards for PFAS. The EPA and states may use those standards for (1) the development of information, protocols, and methodologies, and (2) activities relating to the implementation of enforcement of requirements.

Finally, the bill provides incentives to address PFAS, such as grants to help community water systems treat water contaminated by PFAS and grants to schools for testing and filtrating PFAS from drinking water.

The PFAS Action Act of 2021, also known as Bill 117 hr 2467, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress aimed at addressing the issue of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in the environment. PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that have been linked to a variety of health problems, including cancer, immune system disorders, and developmental issues.

The bill seeks to regulate PFAS chemicals by designating them as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). This designation would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a national drinking water standard for PFAS and to clean up contaminated sites.

Additionally, the PFAS Action Act of 2021 would require the EPA to monitor PFAS levels in drinking water, air, and soil, as well as to establish a grant program to help communities affected by PFAS contamination. The bill also includes provisions to restrict the use of PFAS in consumer products and to require manufacturers to report the presence of PFAS in their products. Overall, the PFAS Action Act of 2021 aims to address the growing problem of PFAS contamination in the environment and to protect public health from the harmful effects of these chemicals. It represents a bipartisan effort to regulate PFAS and to hold polluters accountable for the cleanup of contaminated sites.