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PFAS bans expanded to additional consumer products; committee weighs firefighter exemptions and PPE availability

Senate Health & Welfare Committee · January 10, 2026

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Summary

Committee members reviewed Act 54 (H238), which expands the PFAS sale prohibition to types of consumer products including treated containers and dental floss, sets new effective dates, bans some firefighting PPE containing PFAS and asks ANR to report on availability and cost of non‑PFAS PPE.

The committee reviewed Act 54 (H238), which Speaker 2 said amended the state's prohibition on consumer goods containing intentionally added PFAS to include additional product types such as certain heating products, dental floss and fluorine‑treated containers. Speaker 2 added the bill extended effective dates for cookware prohibitions and required the Secretary of Natural Resources to report on how other states regulate PFAS in consumer products and whether Vermont should create a regulatory program.

Speaker 2 said the bill also bans the sale or distribution of some firefighting personal protective equipment containing PFAS, while exempting respirators/respirator equipment initially because alternatives are difficult to source. The act included an effective date for apparel‑related prohibitions and a reporting requirement for ANR on availability and cost of PPE that does not include PFAS.

Committee members discussed concerns from volunteers about the cost of compliant station gear and the compromise reached to prevent low‑cost PFAS‑containing gear entering volunteer departments. Speaker 1 and others noted public‑health concerns tied to PFAS exposure; Speaker 1 referenced higher cancer rates among firefighters exposed to PFAS‑contaminated foam and concerns about PFAS leaching from turf into waterways.

Next steps: ANR will prepare the required report on non‑PFAS PPE availability and costs ahead of statutory deadlines; committee members flagged continued monitoring of implementation and supply issues.