PFAS Alternatives Act
The PFAS Alternatives Act is a proposed federal bill designed to speed up the development and adoption of turnout gear for firefighters that does not rely on PFAS (chemicals known for their persistence in the environment and potential health concerns). It would create a grant program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), to fund research, development, and testing of PFAS-free turnout gear and related materials. The bill also would establish training programs to help firefighters and other first responders safely wear, decontaminate, and care for such gear, and requires a congressional progress report within two years of enactment. Overall, the act aims to reduce firefighters’ exposure to hazardous substances associated with turnout gear while promoting practical, industry-partnered paths to bring PFAS-free solutions into use. Key elements include a definition of eligible entities (such as nonprofits and universities with relevant experience), a mandate for PFAS-free gear components, requirements for industry collaboration to translate research into practice, and specified fundingAuthorizations for the research and training programs. The act emphasizes leveraging partnerships with firefighting organizations and focus areas like protecting against exposure, simplifying maintenance, and incorporating safety indicators, with funding contingent on appropriations.
Key Points
- 1Establishes a grant program, administered by NIOSH (through the Secretary of Health and Human Services), to support research, development, and testing of PFAS-free turnout gear, with initial implementation to occur within 180 days of enactment.
- 2Requires that grants fund PFAS-free components and mandate partnerships with firefighting organizations to move research results into practice, including guidance and training for first responders.
- 3Seeks to prioritize innovations that may reduce occupational illness/injury by improving protection against exposure, simplifying cleaning and decontamination, and considering body factors in prototype development.
- 4Authorizes $25,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2025–2029 to support the research program.
- 5Creates a separate training program beginning in FY2027 to develop and spread best practices for reducing exposure through PFAS-free turnout gear, with $2,000,000 per year authorized for FY2027–FY2031; and requires a progress report to Congress within two years of enactment.