Health & Welfare reviews revised H.238 on PFAS; adds firefighter stationwear language

The Vermont Senate Health & Welfare Committee on April 26 reviewed Draft 1.1 of H.238, a bill that would tighten limits on PFAS in consumer products, clarify when PFAS are considered “intentionally added,” and fold language from H.250 into the measure to cover firefighter stationwear and related personal protective equipment.

Committee staff member Michael summarized draft changes, including a new clarification excluding PFAS from being treated as intentionally added “on the basis of water used in the manufacture of the product” where the water comes from a permitted public water system under the public water supply chapter. Michael also said the draft restores reporting requirements and adjusts multiple effective dates tied to product prohibitions and agency reporting.

The committee discussed several substantive revisions:

- Water/manufacturing carve-out: The draft adds attorney‑general–requested language that would not treat PFAS as intentionally added solely because water used in manufacturing contained PFAS, provided that water came from a public water system permitted under the public water supply chapter or otherwise met the PFAS maximum contaminant levels in ANR rules.…