Congressman Pappas reacts to EPA's PFAS standards and reports of DoD pressure to weaken them

Dover, N.H. - On Thursday the EPA announced new standards on the issue of PFAS that are at odds with recent health studies. A recent report by the New York Times reveals that the Department of Defense played a part in pressuring the EPA to weaken the newly released standards. New Hampshire's First Congressional District has been significantly impacted by the presence of PFAS contaminants, including communities across the Seacoast near Pease Air National Guard Base and communities around the St. Gobain factory in Merrimack.

"I'm deeply disturbed by reports that the Department of Defense pressured the EPA to lower standards for monitoring and mitigating groundwater pollution at military installations," said Congressman Pappas. "This is an insult to those who have selflessly served this country only to be exposed to hazardous substances like PFAS. The public deserves a swift and comprehensive response. I have confidence that elected leaders on both sides of the aisle will continue to hold the Department of Defense and the EPA accountable, and I urge New Hampshire residents to use the public comment period to demand better from the EPA with respect to contamination and cleanup guidelines. We have to trust the science and the data and take this issue seriously in order to guarantee the safety and wellbeing of families in affected communities."

Congressman Chris Pappas has taken a leadership role in fighting for better standards, increased investment, and a stronger national focus on the issue of PFAS contamination. He has led a bipartisan group of lawmakers to introduce the PFAS Registry Act in the House to create a registry through which veterans and their families can access updates and health information. He also joined a bipartisan, bicameral group of legislators to introduce the VET PFAS Act to extend VA benefits to veterans who have been impacted by PFAS contamination on military installations throughout the country. Congressman Pappas is a member of bipartisan PFAS Task Force and has held three forums to hear from advocates and community members about the impact of PFAS contamination in their respective areas, including a public PFAS Community Listening Session this week in Merrimack.