[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6592361,"mediaKeyId","2888884-5c7622563181debd46716ed6b00e79c6","parentId",2888884,"title","Industry seeks FDA-based exemption to Rhode Island PFAS cookware ban; advocates urge upholding 2024 law","audioSeconds",382,"startMs",920000,"endMs",1302000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2888884-5c7622563181debd46716ed6b00e79c6&start=920&end=1302","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2888884-5c7622563181debd46716ed6b00e79c6/thumbnail_920000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6592361/Rhode-Island/Industry-seeks-FDA-based-exemption-to-Rhode-Island-PFAS-cookware-ban-advocates-urge-upholding-2024-law","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6592361-7f8a28c900183e1777c26762fe6d0bbf/orig.mp4?Expires=1775262255&Signature=UOIDqxVvi6PvqCpLGCTTnP3v9j2BLsYTmWKMliz3XjHjnZbhUwyqhjx9ynYFndrAV7I5iT9JqRZpuTVXsY43-XpqTaw0luxJvinCEFgSflrqRsP4KwNs9pKFhdNZT7Qk7Y-3PMS1uMSqADyUml3befj7ZB2s52PrDjDj0vtPY1qgIT95JyXL0BvYrD8knKkdsIhf7CNd9PXaEp~zjEEMCl82UJp6gqRBacNG5wNM97E3Q2XsHjN5kJyHTgCYqzZvWy-6028GFbTh2IJ93ZCJOS3969x6Eb8wVfWJjg25qP3AuZHYZNfYFbZk0vFC6fDzlGzFKdymbOF7s286c12GZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Rhode Island","date","2025-04-02T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Palmer introduced Senate Bill 645, a narrowly focused measure that would permit two PFAS compounds in cookware if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves their use. Palmer said the bill would allow cookware uses only if FDA approval exists; if the FDA does not approve, the bill would not allow the substances.

The bill drew sharply contrasting testimony. Emily Howe, executive state director for Clean Water Action Rhode Island, urged the committee to oppose SB 645 and to “hold on to your convictions,” citing the unanimous 2024 Consumer PFAS Ban Act that prohibited intentional use of PFAS in many consumer products, including cookware. Howe cited cases from other states and a personal example involving contamination and illness in Minnesota to argue states should maintain strict limits rather than create exemptions.

Industry witnesses and trade groups told a different story. Kevin Messner of Groupe SEB, representing cookware manufacturers and the Cookware Sustainability Alliance, said fluoropolymers such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are chemically distinct from short-chain PFAS that bioaccumulate and argued PTFE is inert, not water soluble and has been evaluated for decades. Brian Jordan of the American Chemistry Council said the trade group supports the legislation and is working on proposed amendments.

Clean Water Action’s New England Zero Waste organizer Amber Schmidt testified about community outreach and concerns that nonstick cookware has a short usable life, cannot be recycled, and eventually reaches landfills where PFAS can leach to the environment. Several senators, including Senator Coleman (sponsor of the 2024 Consumer PFAS Ban Act), signaled skepticism about rolling back provisions of last year’s law and said the committee should be cautious before changing the ban.

Committee members asked detailed questions about the chemical distinction industry witnesses drew between fluoropolymers used in nonstick coatings and other PFAS, about FDA review processes, and about the availability of non-PFAS cookware alternatives. Witnesses cited the American Cancer Society and international regulators in support of their positions.

No final committee vote on SB 645 was recorded in the hearing; committee members said they expect to consider technical amendments and further input before taking formal action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture: 4-2-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 645 would allow limited PFAS use in cookware if and only if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the specific use; sponsors and industry testified in favor while environmental groups urged the committee to uphold the 2024 statewide PFAS ban.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature RI, Rhode Island","taxId",77689,"location","Rhode Island","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6592363,"Senate committee advances bill to require PFAS testing of biosolids before land application",412,126000,538000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2888884-5c7622563181debd46716ed6b00e79c6&start=126&end=538","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2888884-5c7622563181debd46716ed6b00e79c6/thumbnail_126000.jpg","/articles/6592363/Rhode-Island/Senate-committee-advances-bill-to-require-PFAS-testing-of-biosolids-before-land-application","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6592363-8292134cee846f57f2105f4ecf8d3a23/orig.mp4?Expires=1775262255&Signature=e~l84un1MtOKcLs1HLqVYKXq5uQS7s9MbM~pOCvAX4UA7Cs9AuE52ww5LQZ1KN41o0IoiKO3-fVHfAKamKlcfZccJ0vKA2826PgHxcX323pOEHmTgTlbHNpbqfvolm8p5z5brH-IMHdUD4ETBIwZBfgLJLpt~EJENzy5t11kau-m4whhTqg5yv8Hq5CWto9xIQv131cxdrUkvbPuyhAyVIHa8fuy~xjejDLviksSVjIglLZGrIGeNM3tc7UNZDXaD~HFUQakQuntOl0Mz1OTck0IJhZezZlWGTd54YOz~Vmd6OLvfbrlTt0~Z~pdSlPMB2bd-XrGtURNsR8Wj-VYlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture advanced Senate Bill 650 on a voice vote after testimony and questions from members.

Senator DiMario introduced the bill as a measure that would require the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to require testing for PFAS of any biosolids prior to approval of a land-application permit, and to allow quarterly testing of entities already permitted to apply biosolids to land. DiMario said the bill responds to growing evidence that biosolids can contain high concentrations of PFAS and that applying those materials to agricultural land can have effects that “can be reversed for generations.”

Supporters said the proposal is a precautionary step. Emily Howe, executive state director of Clean Water Action Rhode Island, told the committee she supports SB 650 and called attention to the large public-costs associated with removing PFAS from water systems, noting removal costs can be extremely high over long timescales. The Rhode Island Farm Bureau signed in support but was not present to testify. Committee members asked DEM staff and witnesses about current DEM permitting practices and how the bill would fit with existing approvals.

DiMario said most biosolids produced by Rhode Island wastewater treatment facilities are incinerated and that the bill would not change those local practices; the bill is aimed mainly at imported biosolids that are land-applied. Committee members asked for a plain-language definition of biosolids (witnesses described biosolids as the solids or “sludge” leftover from wastewater treatment) and about enforcement of prior DEM guidance that restricted application to fields with edible crops.

The committee advanced the measure by voice vote; the transcript records committee members answering “Aye” but does not include an individual roll-call tally in the hearing record.

The bill next moves to the Senate floor for further consideration if picked up by the calendar.","The Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture advanced Senate Bill 650, which would require testing of imported biosolids for PFAS before permit approval and quarterly testing of permitted land-application operations; proponents cited risks to agricultural land and long-lasting contamination.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6592358,"Committee hears bill to track artificial turf life cycle; sponsor seeks chain-of-custody and DEM inventory",569,2181000,2750000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2888884-5c7622563181debd46716ed6b00e79c6&start=2181&end=2750","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2888884-5c7622563181debd46716ed6b00e79c6/thumbnail_2181000.jpg","/articles/6592358/Rhode-Island/Committee-hears-bill-to-track-artificial-turf-life-cycle-sponsor-seeks-chain-of-custody-and-DEM-inventory","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6592358-fb7bf8b686ef889fa5229dd140d943f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775262255&Signature=Eurfamm5vxe1kLn4av-O5oauSNWJKcZe6PAkdFbMBhp~-1~HWQzkfV-ys8Qp5uf87jhfn5JlMfCXIMaCip-hp-Pv2HF5OUvCfOCBbMAcWGZ52YkZTdC2r8Ua5grFFwQrOkkC0UH7pDEX~owVa69l1vicqaDt1HHn~hRU~TapyWySweebz3i4jhQ9iolfRoA~SyTrhu1rV0cE~zSUAjh1fzvrMWjgfp-gIm4uav5voxcL2EQShYgeIuzCR1zO3UXH--DsjtZCAxNubWXWbddBGEYUv6N7oj344RpFporugJ3zoPWADorL4xAgYhnDulrg-7dMba9p7HwYo6Ld5kwuaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Valverde told the Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture that her bill would establish a chain-of-custody system for artificial turf fields so owners must report installation, composition, replacement, and disposal details to the Department of Environmental Management (DEM). Valverde said the typical outdoor artificial turf field averages about 80,000 square feet and produces large volumes of waste when replaced; testimony included an 8-to-10-year expected lifespan and a description of infill materials, the most common being crumb rubber from shredded tires.

Valverde referenced a Yale study finding hundreds of chemical agents in crumb rubber infill, some with carcinogenic characteristics, and said plastic turf blades break down into microplastics that can be washed into waterways. The bill would require DEM to create and publish an inventory of outdoor artificial turf fields to reduce instances of improper disposal and dumping.

Committee members asked about motivations for municipalities choosing artificial turf over natural sod (resilience, standardized playing surface, and perceived lower maintenance), possible injury rates on older fields, cost of replacement and disposal, and whether other states have moved to restrict or phase out turf. Valverde said the bill could be a first step toward regulatory approaches used in other jurisdictions, including phased transitions considered in parts of the European Union and in proposed U.S. legislation.

The committee did not adopt the bill during the hearing; the transcript records that the committee \"moved to hold the bill at this time,\" indicating members want additional information and potential amendments before formal action.","Senator Valverde presented legislation to require a chain-of-custody system and a DEM-published inventory for outdoor artificial turf fields, citing waste volumes, potential chemical contaminants including PFAS, and microplastic concerns; the committee moved to hold the measure for further work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Industry seeks FDA-based exemption to Rhode Island PFAS cookware ban; advocates urge upholding 2024 law

Senate committee advances bill to require PFAS testing of biosolids before land application

Committee hears bill to track artificial turf life cycle; sponsor seeks chain-of-custody and DEM inventory