House passes PFAS Action Act

WASHINGTON -- The House has passed a bill that would require the Environmental Protection Agency to create regulations limiting two PFAS in drinking water within a few years. 

The PFAS Action Act of 2021 creates a national drinking water standard for select PFAS chemicals, designates PFAS as hazardous substances to allow the Environmental Protection Agency to clean up contaminated sites, limits industrial discharges and provides $200 million annually to assist water utilities and wastewater treatment facilities.

The PFAS Action Act would:

• Require the EPA to establish a national drinking water standard for PFOA and PFOS within two years that protects public health, including the health of vulnerable subpopulations
• Designate PFOA and PFOS chemicals as hazardous substances within one year and require the EPA to determine whether to list other PFAS within five years
• Designate PFOA and PFOS as hazardous air pollutants within 180 days and require the EPA to determine whether to list other PFAS within five years
• Require the EPA to place discharge limits on industrial releases of PFAS and provide $200 million annually for wastewater treatment
• Prohibit unsafe incineration of PFAS wastes and place a moratorium on the introduction of new PFAS into commerce
• Require comprehensive PFAS health testing
• Create a voluntary label for PFAS in many products.

The bill now goes to the Senate, where the Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing on the issue last month.