Sen. Gillibrand and Rep. Kildee Introduce Landmark Bill to Protect Firefighters from Toxic PFAS “Forever Chemicals”

Toxic-Free Future Press Release

On Monday, April 25, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) and Representative Dan Kildee (MI-5) introduced the PFAS Firefighter Protection Act in the House and Senate to ban firefighting foams containing “forever chemicals”— PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The bicameral legislation would prohibit the manufacture, import, and sale of all firefighting foam that contain PFAS for use in training and firefighting within two years of enactment. It would also ban the use of PFAS foams at airports by October 2024.

Firefighters have used and trained with PFAS-based foam at commercial and military airports for decades. The PFAS in foam has contaminated drinking water for millions of people nationwide while also putting firefighters at greater risk of toxic chemical exposures that can cause cancer and chronic disease. 

Toxic-Free Future and Safer States applaud Sen. Gillibrand and Rep. Kildee for leading bold action on these “forever” chemicals and released the following statements in response.

“PFAS firefighting foams have contaminated drinking water for communities in Michigan and New York State and across the country,” said Liz Hitchcock, director of Safer Chemicals Healthy Families, a program of Toxic-Free Future. “Fluorine-free foams are available and in use around the world, with more and more entering the marketplace. It’s time for the federal government to ban these dangerous toxic foams to protect firefighters and the communities they serve.”

“We are thrilled to see the introduction of legislation that follows the lead of ten states across the country from New Hampshire to Washington to Colorado that have banned firefighting foam containing PFAS,” said Sarah Doll, national director, Safer States. “Most recently Maryland adopted the George “Walter” Taylor Act, banning PFAS in firefighting foam in memory of a Southern Maryland Firefighter. States are stepping up to protect firefighters and drinking water and now it’s time for the federal government to do the same.”

“It is critical for Congress to enact a clear ban on all PFAS-containing firefighting foam and for safer alternatives to be adopted, especially for airports, which are among the largest users,” said Laurie Valeriano, executive director of Toxic-Free Future. “The federal government should also adopt GreenScreen Certified for foam as part of the solution to protect the health of firefighters and to prevent another PFAS-like drinking water contamination catastrophe from happening.”