CoPIRG calls for key committee to pass bill to restrict PFAS “forever chemicals” in consumer products

4/14/2022 UPDATE – The bill passed out of committee and heads to the House Finance cmte.

DENVER – Today, the House Energy and Environment committee will consider HB22-1345, which  would protect Colorado’s water supply and public health by phasing out PFAS in products like carpets, furniture, cosmetics, juvenile products, food packaging, cookware, and fluids used in oil and gas production. 

CoPIRG executive director Danny Katz submitted the following statement to the committee:

“At a time of intense drought for many parts of our state, we cannot afford to lose even a drop of water to chemical contamination. Unfortunately, that is what is currently happening. The Fountain Creek watershed in El Paso County is a stark example but there have been PFAS detected in water across the state. 

PFAS are a class of chemicals known as forever chemicals because they are specially engineered to be resistant to both heat and water. They are nearly indestructible and build up over time in our ecosystems. 

According to the EPA, PFAS have been linked to serious health impacts like cancer, organ damage, and suppression of the immune system. Newborns and young children are especially vulnerable.

Because of the harmful impacts of these chemicals, water supplies that become contaminated with them are no longer safe drinking water without costly investments. For example, the Stratmoor Hills Water and Sanitation District had to take out a $3 million loan to build a water treatment facility. That cost will be borne on the backs of the hundreds of families who live in that rural district. 

In a letter from Kevin W. Niles, District Manager of Stratmoor Hills Water and Sanitation Districts, which provides water services for parts of unincorporated El Paso County, he concluded that ‘The Stratmoor Hills community has been negatively impacted by PFOS and PFOA in the groundwater. Therefore, we support any effort to remove these “forever” chemicals from all consumer products.’

Because PFAS build up over time, wastewater and water utilities recognize the urgency to stop the source of PFAS and support this bill. We should continue to listen to these experts as we did around firefighting foam. 

Colorado has a track record of tackling dangerous PFAS pollution. In previous years, a bipartisan coalition of legislators have passed bills to phase out PFAS from fire fighting foam.

Because of PFAS near indestructible nature, they are used in lots of consumer products to make them water-resistant or stain-resistant. But the PFAS in these products will eventually wash off and get into our communities and our bodies adding to the amounts already there. 

Therefore, we are asking you to support HB22-1345, which takes the next step in reducing PFAS. The bill has identified a set of consumer products where PFAS are unnecessary and safer alternatives are available. 

We do not need to choose between a stain-resistant rug or high chair and safe drinking water. 

PFAS are a proven danger to our communities. This is the right step to protect our health and the water supply that is precariously tight in our state.”