Woonsocket Radio News Room

House OKs ban on PFAS chemicals in firefighters’ gear

 

STATE HOUSE – The House of Representatives today approved legislation sponsored by
Rep. June S. Speakman to prohibit the manufacture, sale or distribution of any firefighting personal protective equipment containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals in Rhode Island beginning Jan. 1, 2027.

The legislation (2025-H 5019), which now goes to the Senate, is one more step in protecting Rhode Islanders from PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — toxic “forever chemicals” that are now in water supplies, air and in the blood of nearly every American.

“While we still don’t know the full effects that PFAS can have on human health and the environment, we know enough about some of its health risks and about the pervasive way it stays in our bodies that we should not be tolerating its needless use in products,” said Representative Speakman (D-Dist. 68, Warren, Bristol). “This legislation will ensure that firefighters, who are already putting themselves in harm’s way for the sake of public safety, are not further endangered by being exposed to toxic chemicals in their gear.”

Effective Jan. 1, Rhode Island banned PFAS from Class B firefighting foam. Firefighting foam has been the cause at least two PFAS contamination incidents in Rhode Island.

The ban of PFAS in firefighting foam was part of a broader bill (2024-H 7356Aaa, 2024-S 2152A) that will also ban PFAS from most consumer products sold or manufactured in Rhode Island by Jan. 1, 2027, with additional products added to the ban on Jan. 1, 2029. PFAS chemicals are ubiquitous in a wide range of consumer products, including nonstick cookware, cosmetics, carpets, stain-, water- or wrinkle-resistant fabrics and much more.

Representative Speakman, long an outspoken advocate for protecting Rhode Islanders from PFAS exposure, was a cosponsor of that bill, as well as an earlier bill (2022-H 7438A, 2022-S 2044A) that now prohibits PFAS in food packaging used or made in Rhode Island. She was the sponsor of legislation (2022-S 2298A, 2022-H 7233A) enacted in 2022 requiring the establishment of standards for PFAS contaminate levels in drinking water, ground and surface waters, and the adoption of standards for PFAS monitoring at landfills.

Often referred to as “forever chemicals” for their staying power in nature, PFAS are man-made chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s. Although the extent of their risks to health are not fully known, they have been linked to cancer and many other health problems. According to a study published in 2021 and an open letter from 171 scientists, PFAS compounds have been shown to have a wide range of adverse effects on human health, including altered immune and thyroid function, liver disease, kidney disease, adverse reproductive and developmental outcomes and cancer.

The legislation now goes to the Senate, where Sen. Walter S. Felag Jr. (D-Dist. 10, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton) is sponsoring its Senate companion (2025-S 0241).

President Trump is calling April 2nd America's "liberation day." Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said that's the day his tariffs against Canada, Mexico and China go into effect. He said Americans will see an economic boom after the tariffs.        Israel says its forces will permanently occupy parts of Gaza unless Hamas releases the remaining hostages. This comes after Israel broke a nearly two-month ceasefire with the Palestinian militant group earlier this week. Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have reportedly killed almost 600 people in Gaza.        The President appears to be open to the U.S. becoming a member of the British Commonwealth. On Truth Social this morning, President Trump shared a link to a report from the "Sun" about King Charles the Third preparing a "secret offer" involving the U.S. becoming an associate member of the international organization. In his post, Trump said, "I love King Charles. Sounds good to me!"        Congressman Gerry [[ Jerry ]] Connolly is calling for an investigation into Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Connolly, a ranking member on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, said it was suspicious that Lutnick recently urged Americans to buy Tesla stock. Connolly said it's "the latest example of the Trump Administration using taxpayer resources to enrich the President's inner circle."        Boeing has won a multi-billion dollar contract to build F-47 fighter jets. On Friday, President Trump announced the Next Generation Air Dominance program, also known as the F-47 fighter jet, will replace Lockheed Martin's F-22 Raptor. Boeing and Lockheed were competing for the contract to build the jets after both companies finalized designs for the aircraft last year.        There's a new idea to help bring down grocery costs. Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar wants the Trump Administration to allow the import of eggs from Mexico. He says, if you go across the border from his South Texas district, it costs about four-bucks for a carton of 30-eggs. If imports are allowed, he says it would solve the domestic supply issue, caused by the bird flu.       

Old News Archives