[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 26, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H7092-H7095]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FEDERAL PFAS RESEARCH EVALUATION ACT
Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 7289) to provide for the National Academies to study and
report on a Federal research agenda to advance the understanding of
PFAS, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 7289
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Federal PFAS Research
Evaluation Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
are a group of man-made chemicals that have been used in a
wide range of products since the 1940s including firefighting
foam, carpeting, packaging, and cookware. There are more than
5,000 types of registered PFAS compounds. This chemical class
is not currently regulated at the Federal level.
(2) PFAS have been detected in air, water, soil, food,
biosolids, and more. They can accumulate and remain in the
body for a long time, and potentially lead to serious health
effects including cancer, low infant birthweight, liver and
kidney issues, reproductive and developmental problems, and
more.
(3) There remains much unknown about PFAS toxicity, human
and environmental health effects, exposure pathways, as well
as effective removal, treatment, and destruction methods, and
safe alternatives to PFAS.
(4) Federal research efforts have been fragmented at
various agencies and struggled to
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effectively address the full scope of challenges presented by
PFAS.
(5) Regulatory action and cleanup depend on scientific
analysis of toxicity data, decision making on how best to
deal with PFAS, and understanding the significance of the
many exposure pathways that exist. A consensus study by the
National Academies would help inform decisions by Federal and
State Governments, industry, and other stakeholders on how to
best address PFAS.
SEC. 3. NATIONAL ACADEMIES REPORTS.
(a) Research Assessments of PFAS.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date on
which amounts are appropriated for fiscal year 2023 to carry
out this section, the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency, in consultation with the Director of the
National Science Foundation, the Secretary of Defense, the
Director of the National Institutes of Health, and other
Federal agencies with expertise relevant to understanding
PFAS exposure, behavior, and toxicity, shall enter into an
agreement with the National Academies to conduct a study and
submit a report in accordance with this subsection to further
address research and knowledge gaps identified by the Federal
Government Human Health PFAS Research Workshop held on
October 26 and 27, 2020, and identify research and
development needed to identify, categorize, evaluate, and
address individual or total PFAS.
(2) Study and report on human exposure estimation.--
(A) In general.--The study required to be conducted under
paragraph (1) shall, at a minimum--
(i) consider life-cycle information on the manufacture,
use, and disposal of PFAS-containing products to identify
potential human exposure sources, including occupational
exposures, and potential exposure pathways for the public;
(ii) evaluate the fate and transport of PFAS and their
breakdown products;
(iii) if feasible, estimate human exposure to individual or
total PFAS to determine relative source contributions for
various exposure pathways (such as air, water, soil, or
food);
(iv) determine the range of solubility, stability, and
volatility of PFAS most likely to be found in the environment
and the resulting prevalence in animals and humans;
(v) give consideration as to whether chemical category-
based approaches would be appropriate for evaluating PFAS
toxicity and exposure;
(vi) identify research needed to advance exposure
estimation to individual or total PFAS; and
(vii) identify research needed to advance toxicity and
hazard assessment of individual or total PFAS.
(B) Report.--Not later than 540 days after the date on
which the agreement described in paragraph (1) is finalized,
the National Academies shall submit to Congress a report
containing the findings and recommendations of the study
described in subparagraph (A) and shall make such report
available on a publicly accessible website.
(b) Research Assessment of Management and Treatment
Alternatives for PFAS Contamination in the Environment.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date on
which amounts are appropriated for fiscal year 2023 to carry
out this section, the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency and the Director of the National Science
Foundation, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and
other Federal agencies with expertise relevant to the
development of PFAS alternatives and the management and
treatment of PFAS, shall jointly enter into an agreement with
the National Academies to conduct a study and submit a report
in accordance with this subsection to better understand the
research and development needed to advance the understanding
of the extent and implications of human and environmental
contamination by PFAS, how to manage and treat such
contamination, and the development of safe alternatives.
(2) Scope of study.--The study described in paragraph (1)
shall, at a minimum, include the following:
(A) An assessment of the best available strategies for PFAS
treatment, site remediation, and safe disposal, including
demonstration or pilot projects related to destruction
methods and alternative materials or tools for firefighters.
(B) A description of the research gaps relating to such
issues, including consideration of emerging or future PFAS
and potential classification methods.
(C) Recommendations on how the Federal Government can best
address the research needs identified pursuant to
subparagraph (B) through increased collaboration or
coordination of existing and new programs.
(D) Recommendations on how research can best incorporate
considerations of socioeconomic issues into the development
of research proposals and the conduct of research.
(3) Report.--Not later than 540 days after the date on
which the agreement described in paragraph (1) is finalized,
the National Academies shall submit to Congress a report
containing the findings and recommendations of the study
described in paragraph (2) and shall make such report
available on a publicly accessible website.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated for fiscal year 2023 $3,000,000 to the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to carry
out this section.
SEC. 4. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.
Not later than 180 days after submission to Congress of
latest of the National Academies reports under section 3, the
Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, in
coordination with all relevant Federal agencies, shall submit
to Congress an implementation plan for increased
collaboration and coordination of Federal PFAS research,
development, and demonstration activities. In preparing such
an implementation plan, the Director shall take into
consideration the recommendations included in the reports in
section 3.
SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) National academies.--The term ``National Academies''
means the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and
Medicine.
(2) PFAS.--The term ``PFAS'' means per- and polyfluoroalkyl
substances, including mixtures of such substances.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Beyer) and the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.
General Leave
Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 7289, the bill now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Oklahoma?
There was no objection.
Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7289, the Federal PFAS
Research Evaluation Act.
PFAS are a class of substances that are commonly referred to as
forever chemicals because of their persistence throughout the
environment. These chemicals are found within countless household items
such as cooking appliances, weatherproof clothing, and even food
packaging.
While this heat-, water-, and oil-resistant chemical was created over
80 years ago to solve problems, it has become increasingly clear it has
created more problems than it solved.
Traces of PFAS can also be found within the human body, animals,
drinking water, fish, and soil. In fact, a recent report by the CDC
found PFAS was in the blood of 97 percent of Americans.
Despite the shocking finding on the prevalence of PFAS in the human
body, there is little data that examines the long-term health and
environmental implications of these artificial chemicals. There are
also many research gaps in our understanding of these substances
overall.
H.R. 7289 would help address these gaps by authorizing the
Environmental Protection Agency to enter into agreements with the
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study the
impact of PFAS on human and environmental health through a series of
reports. These reports would touch on outstanding questions such as
human exposure pathways to PFAS. They would also help to identify
critical research gaps related to managing PFAS and examining safe
chemical alternatives.
Finally, these studies would inform an Office of Science and
Technology Policy implementation plan for Federal research,
development, and demonstration activities for PFAS.
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleagues on the Science Committee,
Representatives Lizzie Fletcher and Peter Meijer, for introducing this
commonsense and bipartisan legislation, and I encourage my colleagues
to support its passage.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7289, the Federal PFAS
Research Evaluation Act.
PFAS is an acronym for a large range of manufactured chemicals that
are exceptionally strong and durable and have the ability to withstand
high temperatures. These characteristics make them incredibly valuable
in countless products, from cell phones to wind turbine components to
military aircraft to everything in between.
The high strength and durability of PFAS also mean they don't break
down easily in the environment. But their essential use in industry and
consumer
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products is exactly why it is important we remember not to villainize
the entire category of chemicals.
The hazard and risk profiles of various PFAS are immensely different.
Using certain PFAS in a controlled, responsible manner is safe and
effective. Understanding the distinct properties of each of these
chemicals will allow us to continue the important uses and benefits of
PFAS technologies.
That is why I rise in support of H.R. 7289. This bill seeks to
increase our understanding of PFAS by directing the Environmental
Protection Agency to work with the National Academies to conduct two
studies.
The first study is to better understand human exposure, behavior, and
toxicity of PFAS. It will allow us to better address research and
knowledge gaps that were identified by the National Academies in 2020.
The second study is focused on understanding the extent and
implications of PFAS contamination, as well as research needed to
manage and treat contamination and develop safe alternatives.
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Together, these studies will help us better address PFAS using the
best available science.
At the end of the day, removing harmful PFAS from production and
cleaning up legacy contaminations to protect human health is a
bipartisan issue. But we need to understand the full extent of what we
are seeking to remove, how to best do it, and the potential
implications, if executed.
I thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Meijer), my colleague on the
Science, Space and Technology Committee, for leading this bill, and
being an informed, smart advocate on this issue.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time to
speak on this bill, and I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance
of my time.
Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Meijer).
Mr. MEIJER. Madam Speaker, I thank our ranking member, Mr. Lucas, for
yielding me time and for his continued leadership on the Science, Space
and Technology Committee.
Madam Speaker, H.R. 7289, the Federal PFAS Research Evaluation Act,
is a bipartisan bill that offers both reasonable and pragmatic action
on PFAS. I was proud to introduce it with the gentlewoman from Texas
(Mrs. Fletcher), my colleague and friend.
PFAS chemicals, also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances,
can be found in nonstick pans, firefighting foam, food packaging,
medical devices, and many other everyday products.
There are hundreds of PFAS compounds, and the makeup of these forever
chemicals makes them difficult to break down in nature. But given the
sheer number of compounds and the complexity of each, there is much we
still do not know about the chemicals, including where they might have
been used.
In my home State of Michigan, it is estimated there could be as many
as 11,300 potential sites where PFAS may have been used.
The response to PFAS requires a balanced approach, and I do not
believe we should have to pick between encouraging economic growth or
protecting human health and the environment.
We need to ensure that any potential regulation is based on strong
and science-based evidence, and that is where H.R. 7289 will play a
critical role. With this bill, we will learn more about both the human
health and environmental effects of PFAS. The bill includes the health
effects related to exposure and toxicity of PFAS, as well as the
effects of PFAS on the environment, including the extent of PFAS
contamination, treatment, but also alternatives.
The studies that the bill authorizes will be conducted by our leading
National Academies, widely regarded as the most prestigious and
accurate institutions for objective scientific evidence.
Once completed, these studies will provide us with a clearer picture
of Federal research related to PFAS, and we will be able to better
understand both the extent of problems and where the Federal research
enterprise can best assist in seeking solutions. With such information,
we can take meaningful steps toward eliminating PFAS contamination
because we will know exactly how and where it exists in our world
today.
The first step toward solving any problem is understanding exactly
what you are facing. H.R. 7289 offers this commonsense solution to
support PFAS research, our understanding of contamination, and how the
chemicals behave.
Again, I thank my colleague on the Science, Space and Technology
Committee, Representative Lizzie Fletcher, for introducing this
legislation and working with me to amend it in a bipartisan manner
before coming to the floor.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important piece
of legislation.
Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume
to close.
In December of last year, the Science, Space and Technology Committee
held a hearing on research and development relating to PFAS. I was
impressed to hear just how far along the companies are when it comes to
technologies that can safely and effectively destroy PFAS in the
environment.
I mention that because it is part of why I am optimistic about our
ability to improve our environmental stewardship. When it comes to
protecting human health and the environment, we are making tremendous
progress through technology. There are very few problems, if any, that
innovation cannot address. We can spur that innovation by arming
ourselves with the best possible information, data, and scientific
knowledge.
H.R. 7289 does exactly that for PFAS. It doesn't label all PFAS as
deadly, and it doesn't ban using it. It simply identifies areas of
research that will help us address PFAS using the best available
science.
I thank Representative Lizzie Fletcher for introducing this
legislation and working in a bipartisan manner to advance it, and I
also thank Science, Space and Technology Committee members,
Representatives Meijer and Posey, for cosponsoring this bill.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I, too, urge my colleagues to support H.R.
7289, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7289,
the Federal PFAS Research Evaluation Act, as amended. This bill,
introduced by Representatives Lizzie Fletcher and Peter Meijer, is
another example of strong bipartisanship from Science Committee members
on a critical issue facing our Nation.
Manufactured carbon and fluorine-based chemicals, known as PFAS, are
pervasive throughout the environment due to their inability to be
broken down. Traces of PFAS can be found in everyday household items,
clothing, and even in our drinking water. They have also increasingly
been found to have negative impacts on public and environmental health.
Our low-income communities, and communities of color, are at risk for
high levels of exposure to PFAS due to these communities being
disproportionately located near chemical plants containing PFAS. This
can lead to higher instances of morbidity and mortality for these
communities as well.
To effectively reduce the presence of PFAS in our environment, we
must be guided by strong science. The Federal PFAS Research Evaluation
Act would direct the Environmental Protection Agency to enter into
agreements with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and
Medicine to publish studies that identify major research gaps
associated with our understanding of PFAS. These studies would also
inform the Office of Science and Technology Policy's work to develop a
comprehensive federal research effort for PFAS.
Families across the Nation depend on the Federal government to ensure
their safety when it comes to PFAS contamination in drinking water and
consumer goods. The findings of the studies authorized in this bill
will help support ongoing Federal efforts to protect our communities
from the dangers of PFAS. I urge my colleagues to support this
critical, bipartisan, bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Beyer) that the House suspend the
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rules and pass the bill, H.R. 7289, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. TIFFANY. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
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