An Act to Protect Massachusetts Public Health from PFAS, SD. 2043 and HD.4087
Sponsored by Senator Julian Cyr and Representative Kate Hogan
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of over 14,000 chemicals that are widely used in industrial processes and consumer products. Exposures to these chemicals at low levels have been linked to increased risk for several cancers, metabolic disorders, hormone disruption, and reproductive and neurodevelopmental harm. These chemicals are highly persistent in the environment, which is why it’s important to stop their production and use in Massachusetts as soon as possible!
An Act to Protect Public Health from PFAS will protect people from exposures to PFAS in consumer products, reducing the risk of health impacts caused by these toxic chemicals.
This bill:
- Bans the use of PFAS in consumer products, including carpets and rugs, car seats, children’s products, cookware, fabric sprays, food packaging, personal care products, textiles, and upholstered furniture.
- Allows the MA Department of Public Health to restrict the use of PFAS in additional products over time and supports research into safer alternatives to PFAS.
- Restricts industrial release of PFAS into ground and surface water.
- Establishes a PFAS Remediation Trust Fund to test and treat public drinking water systems and private wells for PFAS contamination.
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Use the form below to send a letter to your legislator!
To identify your legislators, and view their contact information, CLICK HERE.
If you would like to view the letter that will be sent, it is located at the bottom of this page.
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Below is the suggested letter in support of “An Act to Protect Massachusetts Public Health from PFAS“; you can use this letter, or create your own, to urge your legislator to take action!
“Dear Honorable Representative/Senator,
If you have not already cosponsored, I write to you today to request your support for An Act to Protect Massachusetts Public Health from PFAS, SD2403 and HD4087, sponsored by Senator Julian Cyr and Representative Kate Hogan.
PFAS are called “forever chemicals” because they persist in the environment, and some can accumulate in our bodies for years. Our continued manufacturing, use, and disposal of products with PFAS threaten the health of our environment and residents across Massachusetts.
Exposures to PFAS can increase the risk of several cancers, liver disease, immunosuppression, endocrine disruption, high cholesterol, asthma, reproductive harm, and neurological problems. Some of these effects can occur at very low levels of exposure.
Senator Cyr and Representative Hogan’s bills will help do the following:
- Prohibit the sale of consumer products with PFAS and require manufacturers to publicly disclose if they added PFAS to products sold in Massachusetts.
- Establish a trust fund to help Massachusetts towns tackle existing contamination.
- Restrict industrial release of PFAS into water, protecting our Massachusetts water supplies from contamination.
The power to protect the health of Massachusetts constituents from the ill effects of PFAS is in your hands. With each passing day, more and more exposures to PFAS occur, and more damage can take place.
Please cosponsor these bills and urge your colleagues to do the same.
Sincerely,”