May 15, 2025
5/20/2025 Update: Since the publication of this post, H.238 has moved out of committee to a full vote in the state senate. On Tuesday, May 20th, the Vermont Senate voted to advance H.238.
Montpelier, VT – The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare voted today to advance legislation already passed by the House (H.238) that would outlaw the use of toxic perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighting gear, dental floss, cleaning products, and fluorine-treated containers—a critical step in reducing Vermonters’ exposure to these harmful substances.
The Health and Welfare committee expanded the bill as passed by the House by adding a provision that prohibits PFAS in most firefighting gear beginning in 2029. The specialized gear and equipment used by firefighters often results in repeated exposure to toxic PFAS. Massachusetts and Connecticut have already passed similar restrictions and Vermont’s professional firefighters have offered their support for H.238.
According to the Vermont Department of Health, PFAS exposure can lead to reproductive and developmental disorders, decreased antibody response to vaccines, pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia, certain types of cancer, and more. In fact, the CDC has found that nearly all people in the U.S. have PFAS in their blood.
H.238 builds on earlier legislation adopted in Vermont that addressed PFAS in personal care products, menstrual products, children’s products, textiles, cookware, rugs and carpets, artificial turf, ski wax, and more.
“This law will be another important step toward protecting Vermonters and our environment from exposure to toxic PFAS,” said Anna Seuberling, environmental health advocate with the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG). “In fact, it’s hard to imagine a more direct path of exposure than using a string coated with PFAS to clean your teeth every day.”
“This legislation offers more common sense protections for Vermonters who are regularly exposed to toxic PFAS substances, said Lauren Hierl, executive director of Vermont Natural Resources Council. “As PFAS “forever chemicals” continue to harm Vermonters’ health and contaminate our drinking water, the urgency of turning off the tap of PFAS coming into our state continues to grow – and this bill takes critical steps to stem the flow.”
Just this week the Trump Administration announced that it plans to delay implementation of drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS (two key PFAS chemicals), and is reconsidering what level of protection to provide from several other PFAS chemicals in our water.
“Federal action to weaken protection from toxic PFAS chemicals in our drinking water highlights the importance of state action to protect Vermonters from harmful PFAS chemicals,” added Hierl.
BACKGROUND ON PFAS CHEMICALS
Chemical companies sell PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) for application to products such as paper and textiles as stain-resistant, water-repellent, and grease-proofing treatments. These toxic compounds are also widely used in industrial processes and then discharged into waterways. PFAS have been linked to serious health problems such as cancer, immune system suppression, increased cholesterol levels, pregnancy-induced hypertension, liver damage, reduced fertility, and increased risk of thyroid disease. PFAS has been found in breast milk and in most products labeled stain- and water-resistant. PFAS are known as “forever” chemicals because they persist and don’t break down in the environment. Research has found that 3M knew in the 1970s that PFOA and PFOS are dangerous.
PFAS in products: State governments are taking legislative and regulatory actions to phase out PFAS in products to prevent contamination in favor of safer alternatives. For more information on which states are taking action and how, visit Safer States’ Alliance Impact on PFAS and this State Action on PFAS chart.