Rep. Sherrill Votes to Pass PFAS Action Act of 2021

Washington, DC — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) voted today for H.R. 2467, the PFAS Action Act of 2021, a comprehensive, bipartisan piece of legislation to address the public health threat from PFAS chemicals and to hold polluters accountable.

"The science is clear: PFAS chemicals have serious adverse health effects on individuals -- including first responders tasked with cleaning up contaminated areas and those who consume it in their drinking water. It's critical we enhance transparency, hold polluters accountable, and address this public health concern," said Rep. Sherrill. "Today, I voted for the PFAS Action Act to help ensure the safety of drinking water in NJ-11 and across the country. We've seen the impact of this harmful chemical right here in NJ-11, which is one of the many reasons why I submitted a community project proposal to address elevated PFAS levels in water wells on behalf of Hopatcong Borough. It's time we pass this legislation and get it signed into law to ensure the health and safety of all Americans."

Per- and poly- fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of man-made chemicals that have been linked to adverse health effects including cancer, immune system effects, infertility, impaired child development, high cholesterol, and thyroid disease. Because of their strong atomic bonds, these are known as "forever chemicals" that are extremely persistent in the environment.

The PFAS Action Act of 2021 would require EPA to use tools under several environmental statutes to:

• Stem the flow of PFAS contamination into the environment by requiring cleanup of sites contaminated with PFOA and PFOS, setting air emission limits, prohibiting unsafe incineration of PFAS, and limiting the introduction of new PFAS chemicals into commerce;
• Identify health risks by requiring comprehensive health testing for all PFAS, reporting of PFAS releases, and monitoring for PFAS in drinking water;
• Inform communities of PFAS risks by requiring the EPA Administrator to develop a risk-communication strategy and establish a website with information on testing of household well water; and
• Limit human exposure to PFAS by requiring a drinking water standard for PFAS that protects public health, including the health of vulnerable subpopulations like pregnant women, infants, and children, and holding polluters accountable;
• The legislation also provides grants to impacted water systems, creates a voluntary label for cookware that is PFAS free, provides guidance for first responders to limit their exposures, and requires effluent limitations and pretreatment standards for PFAS introduction or discharge.

Rep. Sherrill is a member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee and chairs the Environment Subcommittee. As subcommittee chair, she led a letter last August to Comptroller Gene Dodaro requesting the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) examine how the Federal Government has coordinated research and development (R&D) activities on per- and polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) across different agencies. She also called for an examination of the current state of PFAS science and how federal programs and investments are currently aligned to address any remaining scientific and technological gaps.

Rep. Sherrill secured initial approval for funding for all ten of the Community Project funding proposals she submitted to the House Appropriations Committee for the Appropriations FY22 bills on behalf of NJ-11. The Borough of Hopatcong submitted a proposal for $800,000 to be used for the installation of above ground vessels containing either granular activated carbon or ion exchange materials at the location of water wells with elevated PFAS levels. The well water would filter through these vessels prior to discharge to the Borough potable water distribution system.