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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | August 23, 2018 12:27 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Madeleine Dean |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Testing for Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid and Perfluorooctanoic Acid in Schools |
| Parents send their children to school, trusting that the buildings are safe. While there are laws that ensure this safety through required school infrastructure and water safety testing, there are currently no laws in place that protect our children from the dangers of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). PFOS and PFOA are chemicals that allow industrial and consumer goods to be water-, stain-, grease-, and oil-repellant. The EPA, upon looking at peer-reviewed studies that show exposure to PFOS and PFOA over certain levels may result in cancer, liver damage, antibody production and immunity, and cholesterol changes, asked manufacturers of the chemicals to cease production and established the health advisory levels of 70 parts per trillion. This may not be enough for children, who are among the most vulnerable groups of people in environmental emergencies. That is why I will be introducing legislation that would require school districts to perform annual PFOS and PFOA testing in all school buildings before the start of the school year. If levels test above five parts per trillion, the school district will be required to inform parents and guardians, provide an alternative source of water, and submit a remediation plan to the Departments of Education and Environmental Protection. Please join me in protecting the health and safety of the children of our Commonwealth by co-sponsoring this legislation. |
Introduced as HB2694