Slotkin Statement on NDAA PFAS Provisions

Statement

U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), a member of the House Armed Services Committee and former senior Pentagon official, released the following statement on PFAS provisions in the NDAA.

"This year's NDAA reflects progress on an issue that's top of the mind for Michiganders: holding the Department of Defense accountable for PFAS contamination," Slotkin said. "While we didn't get everything we wanted, as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I fought to include provisions that require the Department to stop using PFAS-laden fire fighting foam (AFFF) by no later than 2024. In addition, military training exercises will be prohibited from using PFAS-laden fire fighting foam and the Department of Defense will be required to administer blood tests for PFAS exposure to military firefighters. And in Michigan, where the majority of our military installations belong to the National Guard, our base commanders will now be able to access the same environmental clean-up dollars as active duty bases."

"While we didn't get everything we wanted related to PFAS, this is the first time the Pentagon has been required to do anything more than just "study' PFAS," Slotkin added. "And that is a step in the right direction."

"We still have a lot of work to do when it comes to stopping PFAS from contaminating our communities ---- clean water from our taps and in the Great Lakes State should be a right and not a privilege," Slotkin continued. "I'll continue fighting alongside my colleagues to hold the whole U.S. government accountable for critical regulatory reforms and standards that we need, and we deserve."

Provisions included in the NDAA:

Prevent further PFAS contamination:

-Requires the DoD to stop using PFAS-laden firefighting foam (AFFF) by 2024, and prioritize efforts to find a safe alternative;
-Requires DoD to dispose of AFFF and tools used to remediate PFAS contamination (such as water filters) in a safe manner that does not create further contamination or pollution;
-Bans the use of PFAS-laden firefighting foam in training/exercises;
-Bans the uncontrolled use of PFAS-laden firefighting foam for any purpose other than for putting out fires.

Hold the DoD accountable for PFAS remediation:

-Provides the National Guard access to DoD environmental remediation funds;
-Requires the DoD to adhere to state-level drinking water standards if they are more stringent than federal standards;
-Authorizes DoD to provide alternative water for farmers affected by PFAS contaminated agricultural water.

Help civilians and service members affected by PFAS contamination:

-Requires DoD to provide blood testing for DoD firefighters exposed to PFAS during their annual physical exam to determine and document potential exposure;
-Bans the use of PFAS chemicals in packaging for the Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) servicemembers eat when deployed in combat and for training.

Requirements beyond the DoD:

-Requires the director of the US Geological survey to establish a performance standard for detecting PFAS, conduct a nationwide sampling to determine extent of PFAS contamination, and report the results;
-Requires the EPA to include PFOS and PFOA in the toxic release inventory of the Toxic Substances Control Act, which requires that industry and federal facilities report the amounts they are releasing into the environment;
-Requires the EPA to monitor PFAS under unregulated contaminants program;
-Requires EPA to finalize its significant new use rule for certain types of PFAS within a year -- and requires industry to provide notification before beginning new manufacturing processes for this family of PFAS;
-Requires all companies that have manufactured PFAS to inform the EPA;
-Requires collaboration and sharing of data related to PFAS between state government, federal government, universities, and research institutions.

Source