Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Pfas Contamination topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Montana committee hears widespread testimony urging study of PFAS contamination
Summary
Supporters told the House Business and Labor Committee that PFAS (forever chemicals) are widespread in Montana water, soil and firefighting gear and urged passage of HJ 37 to create an interim study that would map contamination and recommend remedies including remediation, labeling and legal options.
Representative Staffman, sponsor of House Joint Resolution 37, told the House Business and Labor Committee the resolution would create an interim study of PFAS in Montana to identify contamination, consider remediation options and recommend possible legal or regulatory steps. “PFAs are more dangerous than asbestos and tobacco combined,” he said, urging lawmakers to consider the scope of the problem and the range of potential responses including public-health interventions, environmental remediation and product prohibitions.
Proponents from across Montana and beyond described long-term, personal and community impacts. Joel Gaertig, representing Montana firefighters, said protective turnout gear and AFFF firefighting foam contain PFAS and cited tests showing elevated concentrations at aviation facilities: “We're looking at 5.8 parts per trillion” at one site and reported much higher local results at others, which he said had contaminated groundwater. Betsy Nordell and Adam Nordell described farms and rural households disrupted after biosolid sludge or other sources contaminated soil, water and crops, forcing families to halt production and, in some cases, abandon farms.
Health professionals and advocates pressed for urgency. Dr. Gregory Thomas called PFAS a public-health emergency and urged stronger regulation and cleanup funding. Witnesses noted federal guidance has tightened in recent years — the panel heard reference to an EPA advisory issued in June 2022 that revised guidance for PFOS and PFOA to far lower levels than earlier recommendations — and contended that, with limited federal action, states must lead.
Committee members asked technical questions about sources and measurement. Senators and representatives discussed airport foam training and legacy uses at military and aviation facilities, the challenge and cost of cleanup once PFAS reach groundwater, and the use of wastewater biosolids on farmland as a pathway for contamination. Witnesses and the sponsor emphasized that while some PFAS-free foams now exist, contamination already in aquifers is costly and difficult to remove.
Representative Staffman closed by reminding members that prior bills addressing PFAS products had not advanced and that the interim study would gather data to inform possible future legislation. The committee closed the HJ 37 hearing and moved on to the next agenda item.
Ending: The committee did not take a final vote on HJ 37 during the hearing; Representative Staffman urged lawmakers to support the interim study so the Legislature can evaluate options and next steps.
