Lawler co-sponsors bills removing PFAS from airport firefighting

Rep. Mike Lawler has teamed with his House colleagues Reps. Salud Carbajal (D-CA) and Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) to introduce two bills designed to curb the threat of PSAS contamination in communities located near regional airports.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used some fire suppression foams at airports. They have been linked to health hazards including cancer and developmental harm, and they create an elevated risk for buildup if leaked into the groundwater. PSAS are classified as “forever chemicals” meaning they do not naturally degrade.

The two bills would require that airports transition away from PFAS foams. The The Pollution-Free Aviation Sites (PFAS) Act would create a new transition fund within the U.S, Department of Transportation to provide grants to airports needing support to replace PFAS foams with fluorine-free alternatives, while the Save our Airports Reporting Act would require the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to provide a progress report every six months on their efforts to transition to the use of PFAS-free firefighting foams.

“As a member of the bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force, ensuring that Americans are safe from PFAS chemical exposure is a top concern,” said Lawler, a Republican representing New York”™s 17th Congressional District. “We know that PFAS exposure can lead to higher chances of cancer and tumors in organs such as the liver and kidneys, as well as higher cholesterol levels, hypertension, thyroid, disease, and many other illnesses. I was proud to join Congressman Dan Kildee earlier this year in introducing legislation to ensure our veterans exposed to this toxic chemical get the help that they need and I am also proud to join my colleagues Reps. Carbajal and Van Orden on legislation to help our nation”™s airports transition away from the use of PFAS-containing foams, helping to ensure the safety of travelers, airport staff, and surrounding communities.”