CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE ACTS TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFEGUARD DRINKING WATER AGAINST DANGEROUS CHEMICALS

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Congressman Joe Morelle took action to protect public health and the safety of our drinking water by voting in favor of H.R. 2467, the PFAS Action Act of 2021 -- comprehensive legislation to regulate dangerous Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (known as PFAS chemicals), clean up contamination, and safeguard American families.

"No American should have to be concerned about whether their drinking water is safe and free from cancer-causing chemicals," said Rep. Morelle. "But for too long, the EPA has overlooked the significant health threat posed by PFAS, which has contaminated water sources and created health crises in communities across the country, including here in New York State. I'm proud that today, we took action to limit exposure to PFAS and establish much-needed standards to keep these toxic chemicals out of our drinking water."

PFAS are a class of man-made chemicals that are extremely persistent in the environment and are known to bioaccumulate in humans and wildlife, which is why they are known as "forever chemicals." PFAS have long been linked with severe and adverse health effects including cancer, immune system effects, infertility, impaired child development, high cholesterol, and thyroid disease. PFAS contamination led to a water crisis in Hoosick Falls, NY in recent years and has been linked to alarmingly high cancer rates in the area.

H.R. 2467 will provide the protections impacted communities need now and in the future by:

• Limiting human exposure to PFAS by requiring a drinking water standard that protects public health
• Stemming the flow of PFAS contamination into the environment by requiring cleanup of contaminated sites
• Identifying health risks by requiring comprehensive health testing for all PFAS
• Informing communities of PFAS risks

This legislation has passed the House of Representatives and will now move to the Senate for consideration.