S 2152: Senate Environment & Agriculture Committee Hearing, Wed, 3/20/2024 (Sen. Lounge, 4 pm)
H 7356 – House Environment & Natural Resources Committee Hearing, 3/21/24 (Room 135, At the Rise)
The bills enact the Comprehensive PFAS Ban Act of 2024, prohibiting the intentional addition of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances of PFAS in products offered for sale or manufactured in the state as of January 1, 2027.
For further information on PFAS, go to CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry: PFAS chemicals
Please send your emails by Friday, if not before. Though the bills are being heard on 3/20/24 and 3/21/24, decisions are rarely made the day of the hearing.
**Many of your legislators are sponsors or members of one of these committees. They would be happy to hear from you, their constituent, that you appreciate their work.
2. Send an email to your Representative and another to your Senator this week. Use the RI Secretary of State Voter Information site
5. Introduce yourself to your legislator if you have not already done so.
6. If helpful in drafting your response, use some/not all points from the draft of my League testimony - which I have bulleted below. Close by urging your legislators to support this bill and vote it out to the floor of the appropriate chamber.
Consider using some of points below in your emails to legislators:
• This Comprehensive PFAS Ban would prohibit the intentional addition of PFAS in products offered for sale or manufactured in the state as of January 1, 2027. The Act would further ban the sale of Class B firefighting foam that contains intentionally added PFAS. It would also ban ALL USES of PFAS by December 31, 2032, unless such use in a product is considered unavoidable.
• Rhode Islanders need protection from the many toxic Per- and Polyflouroakyl Substances which are ever-present in our communities.
• PFAS are a class of manmade chemicals used to create coatings and products that will resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. But these substances pose health risks to both people and animals.
• And they are everywhere - in the food we eat, the air we breathe, the landfills in our cities and towns, and the ground and surface water that surrounds us.
• PFAS are also present in our bodies and in the many products we own and are exposed to in our everyday lives. Non-stick cookware as well as water-repellant and stain-resistant clothing, rugs, and mattresses are noted for the prevalence of these toxins.
• Fire-fighting foam, in particular, has been cited as a key PFA contaminant.
• These toxic chemicals pose serious health risks to people and animals. Research points out a strong correlation between increased PFAS exposure and multiple health concerns. Such exposure can negatively affect pregnancy and lower infant birth weight. ISuch exposure can also increase the risk of a wide variety of cancers.
• Eliminating PFAS needs to be a top priority. These “forever chemicals” remain toxic for a long time. Any perceived benefits far outweigh the health risks to everyone.
