Policy Change to Eliminate PFAS

A Call to Action!

Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) is calling on residents across the Commonwealth to contact their local legislators to lend their support to legislation that would ban PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and other potentially toxic chemicals in Massachusetts.

Current Legislation

H.939 – An Act for Massachusetts Toxic Free Kids

S.207 – An Act Relative to Toxic-Free Kids

Help us promote policy change to ban dangerous PFAS in food packaging. MBCC invites you to join us in supporting H.939 An Act for Massachusetts Toxic Free Kids and S.207 An Act Relative to Toxic Free Kids by sending letters to the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure. 

By filling out the form below, this letter will be sent to the Committee Co-chairs, Representative Tackey Chan and Senator Susan Moran, urging them to cosponsor Bills H.939 and S.207. You will receive a copy of the email as well. If you’d prefer to send the letter directly, please direct your letters to Representative Tackey Chan (Tackey.Chan@mahouse.gov) and Senator Susan Moran (susan.moran@masenate.gov).

Dear Chair Chan and Chair Moran,

I write today in support of H.939 An Act for Massachusetts Toxic Free Kids and S.207 An Act Relative to Toxic-Free Kids.

Both bills require businesses that manufacture, sell or distribute children’s products in Massachusetts to file biennial reports disclosing whether their products contain one or more toxic chemicals on a list developed by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Additionally, H.939 seeks to ban the class of chemicals known as per- or polyflouroalkyl substances in children’s products; a chemical class that has been linked to a wide range of health effects. These health effects include increased cholesterol levels, changes in liver enzymes, decreased vaccine response in children, increased risk of high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia in pregnant women, small decreases in infant birth weights, increased risk of kidney or testicular cancer, and an alteration in mammary gland development that may increase the risk of breast cancer later in life.

H.939 also bans eight other dangerous chemicals including trisphosphate, benzene, lead, mercury and mercury compounds, formaldehyde, asbestos, arsenic, and arsenic compounds, and cadmium.

I feel strongly that it is of the utmost importance to do all that we can to protect the health of our children. These bills are a step in the right direction.

I respectfully request that these bills be reported favorably from the committee so that they may continue through the legislative process.

Click here to fill out a form and automatically send the letter

An Ongoing Process

As of October 5, 2021, California now joins a growing list of states in prohibiting PFAS in food packaging. It is now crucial that Massachusetts joins this list as well.

The following states also have policies currently up for consideration related to banning PFAS from food packaging in favor of safer alternative options: Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

For information on how to identify & contact your local MA legislators, please visit: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

From there, you will be able to find the email address and telephone number to either send a written letter or speak directly with the legislators that serve your area to voice your support for these two bills. Be sure to mention that you are contacting their office as part of MBCC’s 2021 campaign as well!

Join MBCC in our efforts to protect future generations!

Thank you for the continuous support of our current supporters and volunteers! We appreciate everything that has been done in the effort to shape a healthy tomorrow.