New California Law Bans PFAS Chemicals in Most Firefighting Foams

Earlier this fall, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law SB-1044. The new law covers firefighting equipment and foams that contain the man-made chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). 
 
As of January 1, 2022, except in very specific applications, manufacturers of class B firefighting foams shall not manufacture, or knowingly sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale, or distribute for use in California, and no person shall use in California, class B firefighting foams containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals. Firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE) that intentionally contains PFAS chemicals will also have to be disclosed in a written notice that includes why the chemicals were added to the equipment.
 
In addition to firefighting foams, which have been a major source of groundwater contamination at airports, military bases and other locations where firefighting training occurs, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that PFAS can be found in:

• Food packaged in PFAS-containing materials, processed with equipment that used PFAS or grown in PFAS-contaminated soil or water.
• Commercial household products, including stain- and water-repellent fabrics, nonstick products, polishes, waxes, paints and cleaning products.
• Workplaces, including production facilities or industries (e.g., chrome plating, electronics manufacturing or oil recovery) that use PFAS.
• Drinking water, typically localized and associated with a specific facility (e.g., manufacturer, landfill, wastewater treatment plant, firefighter training facility).
• Living organisms, including fish, animals and humans.

 
“Many PFAS chemicals are exceptionally persistent in the environment and also in the human body if one has been exposed,” said Jeff Bannon, Vice President of Environmental Services at Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “There is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse human health effects so this upcoming ban is an important step in reducing the impact of PFAS in the environment and will likely be duplicated in other states in the near future.”
 
To help identify and mitigate PFAS exposure risks, the environmental and industrial hygiene professionals at CSC offer consulting, testing and monitoring services for these and many other chemical contaminants. CSC has even sponsored an educational video about PFAS that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/skLIprCGeX4
 
To learn more about PFAS or other environmental, occupational, health and safety testing services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118. 
 
About Clark Seif Clark
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address indoor air quality, occupational, environmental, and health and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.

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Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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