A measure that would ban the Department of Defense from using firefighting foam that contains the chemical PFAS has advanced in the Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand on Friday said.
The amendment, introduced by Gillibrand and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, was attached to the annual National Defense Authorization Act.
“Toxic PFAS exposure is putting the health of New Yorkers and people across the country at risk,” said Gillibrand, who is among the 23 Democrats vying for the party’s presidential nomination.
“Last year I successfully fought to end the federal requirement for commercial airports to use PFAS firefighting foam, and it’s time for the DOD to do the same and end the use of PFAS foam on military airports and bases. In communities in New York and across the country, there is a clear link between the use of PFAS firefighting foam on military bases and dangerous levels of PFAS in the drinking water of surrounding communities. This is unacceptable and Congress has an obligation to ensure the DOD is no longer buying and using this toxic foam. All Americans deserve clean water, and I will fight to ensure this critical measure passes the Senate as part of the final defense bill.”
The amendment would require the DOD from using firefighting foam with PFAS by October 2022.