Bill That Would Ban 'Forever Chemicals' Advances in Vermont House

[TexasTowelie]

A bid to ban consumer products that contain the kind of “forever chemicals” that polluted wells in the Bennington area passed a key committee Thursday in the Vermont legislature.

S. 20 would prevent food containers, rugs and ski wax made with PFAS chemicals from being distributed and sold in the state.

The bill received lengthy testimony and debate in the House Human Services Committee, much of it involving how firefighting foam containing the chemicals should also be phased out. The foam is used at the Vermont Air National Guard base in South Burlington, where it has polluted the groundwater, and by the petroleum industry.

The issue was complicated by concern that the state lacks the power to regulate the use of the foam by the Guard, which is governed by Department of Defense regulations but provides fire protection to the civilian Burlington International Airport.

Read more: https://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2021/04/29/bill-that-would-ban-forever-chemicals-advances-in-vermont-house

[jimfields33]

1. Before banning the use for fires, I'd say they need to find a replacement and use it for

six months to ensure its effective. It’d be awful if they can’t find a decent way to fight fires.