State advances legislation to ban firefighting foam that contains PFAS chemicals that have affected Willow Grove

The Pennsylvania House Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee recently voted unanimously to advance legislation (H.B. 1261), prime sponsored by state Rep. Brian Munroe for further consideration by the full PA House of Representatives.

House Bill1261 would prohibit the manufacture, sale, distribution, and use of firefighting foam that contains toxic PFAS chemicals. PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are manmade “forever chemicals” that have been linked to a wide range of serious health issues, including cancer. 

These health issues affect the communities where PFAS-containing firefighting foam has been used and has leeched into the ground and water supplies, as well as firefighters wearing protective gear containing PFAS.

Munroe, himself a former firefighter and Navy veteran, represents a region that is among the most heavily affected by PFAS contamination because of heavy use at former and active military bases in his legislative district, notably the former Naval Air Warfare Center Warminster and nearby Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove.

“Last session we made real progress on this issue, and my hope this session is to finish the job, save firefighters’ lives, and keep our communities safe,” said Munroe. “PFAS-free foams are available and are already the standard for many fire departments in Pennsylvania. We can and will help phase these chemicals out for good, while ensuring even the most challenging fires can still be extinguished.”

If approved, the bill would: 

• Ban the manufacture, sale and distribution of PFAS-containing class B firefighting foam starting July 1, 2026.
• Ban the use of PFAS-containing class B firefighting foam starting Jan 1, 2027.
• Require the warning labels of firefighter turnout gear that contains PFAS, an amendment offered by Representative Greg Scott that passed 15-11.
  
  

“Today was a crucial first step toward protecting Pennsylvanians and our firefighters from toxic PFAS,” Stephanie Wein, Clean Water and Conservation Advocate for PennEnvironment, said in a statement. “Given that effective alternatives exist, this measure is long overdue. It is time for Pennsylvania to join the ranks of the U.S. Department of Defense and the fifteen states from New Hampshire to Alaska in banning PFAS in firefighting foam. PennEnvironment is glad to see the bipartisan support for phasing out these “forever chemicals” and urge our leaders in Harrisburg to pass HB 1261 as quickly as possible.”