Bill Summary
This legislation, known as the PFAS Exposure Assessment for Department of Defense Firefighters Act, requires the Secretary of Defense to provide blood testing for firefighters in the Department of Defense to determine their potential exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These substances, commonly known as "forever chemicals," have been linked to serious health issues. The testing will be conducted during the annual physical exam for each firefighter in the department. This legislation aims to better understand and document the potential exposure of firefighters to these harmful substances.
Possible Impacts
1. This legislation could potentially affect the health and well-being of firefighters in the Department of Defense as they may be exposed to harmful substances.
2. It could also impact the budget and resources of the Department of Defense as they will need to provide blood testing for each firefighter during their annual physical exams.
3. The legislation may also lead to further research and regulation on the use and exposure to PFAS substances in other industries and workplaces.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1863 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1863
To require the Secretary of Defense to provide blood testing for
firefighters of the Department of Defense to determine potential
exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 25, 2019
Mr. Norcross (for himself, Mr. Turner, Mr. Rouda, Mr. Kim, Mrs. Luria,
Mr. Hollingsworth, Ms. Dean, and Mr. Welch) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require the Secretary of Defense to provide blood testing for
firefighters of the Department of Defense to determine potential
exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. PROVISION OF BLOOD TESTING FOR FIREFIGHTERS OF DEPARTMENT OF
DEFENSE TO DETERMINE EXPOSURE TO PERFLUOROALKYL AND
POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES.
The Secretary of Defense shall provide blood testing to determine
and document potential exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl
substances (commonly known as ``PFAS'') for each firefighter of the
Department of Defense during the annual physical exam conducted by the
Department for each such firefighter.
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