PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are employed in numerous industrial and consumer products for their water- and stain-resistant properties. These substances are particularly prevalent in New Hampshire, with significant contamination incidents stemming from Pease Air Force Base and Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics.
The bill, co-sponsored by Shaheen, a Democrat, and Collins, a Republican, has received endorsements from several environmental organizations, including Merrimack Citizens for Clean Water and Testing for Pease. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Representatives Dan Kildee, a Michigan Democrat, and Mike Lawler, a New York Republican, in December.
"As we continue to uncover the health impacts of PFAS exposure, it is crucial that healthcare providers have access to the latest guidance to best serve their patients," Shaheen emphasized. "This bipartisan bill is a vital step towards protecting public health by ensuring regular updates to clinician guidance on PFAS contamination."
Laurene Allen, co-founder of Merrimack Citizens for Clean Water, highlighted the prolonged PFAS exposure experienced by communities near Saint-Gobain, noting the chemicals' insidious nature and their disruption to the endocrine system. She underscored the ongoing challenge of securing comprehensive health and physician guidance on PFAS exposure.
Securing legislative action linking PFAS exposure to health outcomes has been a significant hurdle. "Over the years, bills on this topic have frequently been defeated or sent to committee for further study, where they often languish," Allen observed.
In January, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) updated its clinical guidance on PFAS for the first time since 2019. If enacted, the new bill would require the ATSDR director to enter into an agreement within 60 days for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine—or another suitable entity—to conduct a comprehensive assessment.
The entity would have two years to complete an initial evaluation and develop recommendations on the health effects of PFAS measurable in human tissues. These recommendations would be updated every five years or more frequently based on scientific developments.
The assessment process would include engagement with and feedback from PFAS-exposed communities regarding their experiences with exposure, testing, and clinical follow-up.
Additionally, within five years of the agreement's initiation, the experts would be required to issue updated clinical guidance on addressing the health effects of PFAS. This guidance would be made publicly available on the agency’s website and disseminated to state and local health authorities and relevant healthcare professionals, with updates at least every five years. Research has linked PFAS exposure to various health issues, including high cholesterol, weakened immune systems, decreased fertility, increased blood pressure in pregnant women, developmental problems in children, and cancers such as prostate, kidney, and testicular. Studies indicate that nearly all Americans have detectable levels of PFAS in their blood, and these chemicals have even been found in newborns whose mothers were exposed, according to research led by Emory University.
"Addressing health concerns and providing proper guidance is essential for public health," Allen asserted. "Environmental health is a critically overlooked aspect of public health."