Bill Overview
Title: PFAS Firefighter Protection Act
Description: This bill prohibits, under the Toxic Substances Control Act, the manufacture, import, processing, or distribution in commerce of any aqueous film forming foam for use in training and firefighting that contains a perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance, commonly referred to as PFAS. These substances are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. No later than October 5, 2024, the bill also requires the prohibition of the use of fluorinated chemicals in firefighting foam at airports.
Sponsors: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Target Audience
Population: people exposed to PFAS through firefighting foams
Estimated Size: 1500000
- PFAS are chemicals used in aqueous film forming foams, largely utilized by the firefighting industry for fire suppression.
- Firefighters are a primary group affected by this bill, as they regularly use such foams during firefighting and training.
- The prohibition affects all firefight training centers, fire service agencies, and airports where these foams are used.
- Airports and their firefighting teams, another significant group utilizing PFAS-containing foams, will need to comply with new regulations.
- Communities near military bases and airports were often exposed to contamination from PFAS, so they are indirectly affected as environmental health improves over time.
Reasoning
- The PFAS Firefighter Protection Act primarily targets firefighting personnel and communities near facilities where PFAS foams are used. We should include both directly affected individuals (firefighters) and indirectly affected individuals (residents near airports or military bases) in our simulations.
- Budget limitations necessitate focusing on high-impact individuals for immediate interventions (firefighters and airport firefighting teams) while understanding broader community impacts may grow slowly over time as environmental changes take effect.
- We should ensure a mix of positive and negative perspectives, as not all individuals will immediately perceive the benefits of policy shifts, especially if alternative firefighting methods are still being developed.
Simulated Interviews
Firefighter (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 36 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad there's a move towards eliminating PFAS in firefighting foam. I've read about the potential health risks.
- Transitioning away from these foams might be challenging, but it feels necessary for our health.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Airport firefighter (Houston, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is crucial. Our team has been pushing for PFAS-free alternatives for a while now.
- I hope the changes will be implemented smoothly without impacting our ability to respond to emergencies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 1 |
Firefighting foam manufacturer worker (Seattle, WA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried about what this policy will mean for my job.
- If my company does not transition to alternative products successfully, we could be out of work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Environmental Health Advocate (Boulder, CO)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is an excellent step forward for both public health and environmental conservation.
- I've been advocating for such policies for years. It feels like a win.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 6 |
Military firefighter (Fayetteville, NC)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is necessary, but I'm not sure if it'll address contamination issues already present.
- I hope the military will take this seriously and prioritize our health and safety.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 1 |
Environmental Scientist (Boston, MA)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reducing PFAS use is critical for protecting our ecosystems.
- I'm eager to see how policy implementation will reflect on environmental data over the next few years.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Resident near airport (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Finally, this policy feels like someone is listening to our community concerns about water safety.
- I hope we see an actual change in health outcomes over time.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Airport official (Denver, CO)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy shift presents logistical challenges, especially with budgets.
- Adapting will take effort, but it's for the greater good.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Chemical engineer (San Diego, CA)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is beneficial for innovation in safer chemical solutions.
- There's opportunity here but also pressure to ensure these alternatives work as effectively as PFAS foams.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Retired Air Force personnel (Detroit, MI)
Age: 61 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's too late for some of us who've already been exposed, but hopefully, this will prevent future harm.
- I wish there was more assistance for those already affected.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 1 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $30000000)
Year 2: $18000000 (Low: $13000000, High: $26000000)
Year 3: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 5: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Year 10: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $10000000)
Year 100: $100000 (Low: $50000, High: $200000)
Key Considerations
- The effectiveness of the transition to non-PFAS foams and the availability of alternatives could influence cost estimates.
- Training and education costs for personnel to shift to alternate fire-prevention techniques.
- Potential legal liabilities reductions as PFAS are removed decreases environmental health risks.