U.S. Senate bill would reduce toxic PFAS for military members, firefighters, and communities

WASHINGTON— The Department of Defense PFAS Discharge Prevention Act introduced yesterday in the U.S. Senate would help protect military members, veterans, firefighters, and families from toxic PFAS pollution, according to the Southern Environmental Law Center. Sponsored by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), this bill would address PFAS in stormwater runoff at military bases by requiring the Department of Defense to monitor for and mitigate these toxic chemicals. A bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Representatives Jennifer McClellan (D-VA04), Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02), Pat Ryan (D-NY18), and Nick LaLota (R-NY-01) introduced a similar measure earlier this year in the House of Representatives. 

“Protecting our service members, veterans, firefighters, and surrounding communities from toxic PFAS pollution begins with turning off the tap,” said Jean Zhuang, senior attorney at SELC. “Controlling PFAS at the source using existing law is the most fair and cost-effective path forward. Those who serve our country and the communities that support them deserve nothing less.” 

Stormwater runoff from the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam at DOD facilities is a significant source of drinking water pollution. Until now, there has been little effort to control it. As of 2021, DOD has identified 700 installations across the nation that are likely contaminated with PFAS chemicals. At least 245 facilities are polluting or threatening to contaminate drinking water sources, according to the Defense Department.  

Among the DOD sites with known PFAS contamination in New York are Griffiss Air Force Base, Hancock Field Air Force Base, Fort Dum, and Plattsburgh Air Force Base. In Virginia, Norfolk Naval Base, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Fort Monroe, and Camp Pendleton have confirmed contamination. Other contaminated bases in the South include Fort Liberty, Camp Lejeune, and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina, as well as Shaw Air Force Base, Joint Base Charleston, and Parris Island in South Carolina. 

Science has consistently linked PFAS chemicals to various cancers, reduced immune function, birth defects, and other health harms.  

The Department of Defense PFAS Discharge Prevention Act would use a small portion of existing funding to direct the DOD to regularly monitor for PFAS chemicals and implement best management practices to stop PFAS pollution from entering our drinking water in the first place.  

DOD estimates that PFAS cleanup at military bases nationwide will take decades and cost billions of dollars; in the meantime, the public remains at risk. According to Zhuang, “Without turning off the tap on DOD’s ongoing PFAS pollution, our country is spending money without addressing the root of the problem. This bill is a win-win: it reduces future cleanup costs, protects public health, and ensures taxpayer dollars are used efficiently to keep our troops, their families, and communities safe from toxic PFAS exposure.” Veterans, firefighters, and their families expressed support for the legislation last July in a letter to Congress. Their letter reflects support from 15 states and the International Association of Fire Fighters