Courtney Bourgoin, courtney.bourgoin@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC-- Today, the Senate passed a National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)-- which includes several pieces to address the nation’s growing PFAS contamination crisis. Included is the Senate’s package and a ban on military purchasing and use of all PFAS for fire fighting by 2022 and 2023.
In response, Sonya Lunder, Senior Toxics Advisor for the Sierra Club released the following statement:
“We applaud the Senate’s work to pass legislation that is a meaningful first step in tackling the chemical contamination crisis caused by everpresent PFAS chemicals. Banning the military use of toxic firefighting foam will protect thousands of servicemembers and people living near military bases from more PFAS and the serious health problems caused by these toxic chemicals.
“More important work to mitigate the chemical crisis remains undone. PFAS chemicals are still legally emitted into air and water, and many emissions go unregulated and unreported. Hundreds of communities living with the toxic legacy of unchecked PFAS pollution -- which is especially harmful during pregnancy and childhood -- are still waiting for cleanup.
“It’s time for Congress to end the ongoing releases of PFAS chemicals into the environment, require EPA and the military to clean up polluted sites, and ensure that waste stockpiles are safely destroyed. We must act urgently to protect public health, our children and communities on the frontlines.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.