Pappas Helps Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Curb Federal Use of Toxic PFAS Chemicals

This week Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), alongside Representatives Mike Lawler (NY-17), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Pat Ryan (NY-18) introduced the PFAS-Free Procurement Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at reducing harmful chemical exposure by prohibiting the procurement of products containing perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) or perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), commonly known as PFAS. 

These chemicals are linked to a variety of health issues, including cancer, liver damage, and developmental harm. The bill would prioritize the procurement of safer, PFAS-free products by prohibiting federal agencies from renewing or entering into contracts for products containing PFOS or PFOA, including nonstick cookware, cooking utensils, furniture, carpets, and rugs treated with stain-resistant coatings. The legislation takes effect six months after enactment and would apply to all contracts entered into after that date.

"PFAS and other toxic forever chemicals continue to pose health risks to Granite Staters and communities nationwide. We must take comprehensive and commonsense action to combat PFAS contamination and ensure the well-being of Americans," said Congressman Pappas. "This bipartisan legislation would require federal agencies to prioritize procuring PFAS-free products to protect federal employees and individuals who visit federal facilities, like veterans at VA and seniors at Social Security offices. The federal government should be a leader in addressing PFAS contamination, and this bipartisan legislation is an important step forward.”

Pappas has been a leader in addressing PFAS and advocating for improved standards, increased investment, and a stronger national focus on PFAS contamination. In 2024, following his calls for EPA to establish water quality criteria and limits on industrial PFAS discharges into water and to water treatment plants as required by his Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act, EPA finally finalized a PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation which issues strict Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) for PFAS chemicals and announced $1 billion in funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law would be directed to help address PFAS contamination in both municipal systems and private wells, with a focus on small and rural communities.

Pappas also leads the PFAS Research and Development Reauthorization Act, the PFAS Registry Act, and the No Taxation on PFAS Remediation Act.

Full text of the PFAS-Free Procurement Act can be found here.