PFAS bill passes in Senate Committee

WASHINGTON, DC, JUNE 21, 2019 -- On Wednesday, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) approved a bipartisan bill to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The bill combines a few other PFAS bills into one legislative package by amending S. 1507, the PFAS Release Disclosure Act.

The bill directs EPA to set a drinking water standard for PFOS and PFOA, at a minimum, and potentially other PFAS within two years. It also adds at least 18 PFAS to the next round of unregulated contaminant monitoring, and establishes a new accelerated time table for regulating additional PFAS in drinking water, as well as additional studies on the health and environmental impacts of PFAS.

The bill's sponsors will attempt to include the legislation as an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act, expected to be on the Senate floor next week.