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Committee advances substitute to ban PFAS firefighting foam; public health groups back the move
Summary
House substitute to HB 356 would phase out PFAS‑containing firefighting foam in Delaware; the Delaware Academy of Medicine and public‑health scientists urged the committee to back the change, citing cancer and chronic disease risks tied to PFAS exposure.
Representative Burns presented House Substitute 1 for HB 356, a bill to prohibit the use of PFAS‑containing firefighting foam across Delaware. Burns said the substitute was developed with input from DNREC, the Delaware Fire School, the Fire Commissioner and the Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Association to address operational concerns and provide a timeframe for compliance.
Kat Cottle, government relations manager for the Delaware Academy of Medicine and Public Health, told the committee PFAS are pervasive, linked to chronic illnesses and that ongoing remediation efforts could be undermined if firefighting foams containing PFAS continue to be used. A retired cancer researcher, Frances Kelleher, urged the committee to build on the bill and pursue broader PFAS limits in consumer products, especially those for children.
The committee moved to release the substitute for floor consideration; a roll call was conducted and the chair indicated staff would 'walk' the bill to ensure the necessary votes and signatures. No technical amendments were recorded on the floor during the hearing.
