Cohen Lauds Biden Administration's Action On 'Forever Chemicals'

GUILFORD, CT —Monday the Biden Administration announced its plan to "combat PFAS pollution" by taking action to "protect Americans from the chemicals which can cause severe health problems and persist in the environment once released."

The actions involving eight federal agencies would help to "safeguard public health and protect the environment," by preventing the chemicals from being released into the air, drinking systems and food supplies, as well as speeding up cleanup efforts and remediation.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are found in everything from cosmetics and cleaning supplies to cookware and clothing. A Notre Dame study published this past summer also showed that of 230 cosmetics tested, more than half contained high levels of the chemicals.

Read more from the White House on the plan here.

Monday, state Sen. Christine Cohen (D-Guilford), Senate Chair of the legislature's Environment Committee, lauded the Biden plan and pointed to her efforts in leading passage of Public Act 21-921, which bans the use of firefighting foam containing PFAS and prohibits the manufacture and distribution of food packaging containing these 'forever chemicals' beginning in 2024.

"Together with the Environment Committee members and my colleagues on the Public Health Committee, we worked hard to ensure that the largest source of water and soil PFAS contamination was addressed by establishing a take-back program for the firefighting foam, ensuring a suitable alternative was established, and preventing any future purchase and use," she said.

"Not only does this protect those who protect us each day, the firefighters, but it eliminates the possibility of spills and therefore helps to keep our water free from these carcinogenic substances. Connecticut has really taken the lead on this in both the legislature and through our toxics division of the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection," Cohen noted.

"We have a long way to go, and we are unfortunately discovering well contamination in many places, including right in my senate district. However, the steps outlined by President Biden, as well as those by Connecticut's legislature, will help raise awareness and hopefully prevent the future manufacture of products containing harmful chemicals."