Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Environment Committee

HB 2793

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Bill

Requires the presence of Perfluorinated and Polyfluorinated (PFAS) chemicals in firefighting personal protective equipment (firefighting PPE) to be disclosed at the time of sale, beginning July 1, 2018.
Restricts the sale of foam designed for flammable liquid fires that contains PFAS chemicals, beginning July 1, 2020.
Directs the Department of Ecology to help other state agencies and local governments to avoid the purchase of firefighting agents that contain PFAS chemicals and to give priority and preference to the purchase of firefighting PPE that does not contain PFAS.

Background:

PFAS Chemical Action Plan.

According to the Department of Ecology (ECY), perfluorinated and polyfluorinated (PFAS) chemicals are characterized by their resistance to oil, stains, grease, and water, as well as their durability, heat resistance, and anti-corrosive properties. The ECY has also identified PFAS chemicals as persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) substances. In 2016 under the ECY's PBT substances rule, the ECY began developing a chemical action plan (CAP) in conjunction with the Department of Health for PFAS chemicals to evaluate the chemical's uses, releases, impacts, and management. As of January 14, 2018, the ECY has published and solicited public feedback on a draft CAP, but has not yet published a final CAP.

Federal Firefighting Foam Requirements.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for a variety of safety regulations related to flight operations, including operations of aircraft and airports. Among the regulations applicable to airport operations that have been adopted by the FAA are requirements for airport operators to maintain on-site firefighting equipment and agents, including firefighting foams. Under this FAA rule, the type and amount of required firefighting agents and equipment depend on the size and frequency of aircraft departures from the airport.

Summary of Bill:

Firefighting Personal Protective Equipment.

Beginning July 1, 2018, manufacturers, importers, distributors and other persons selling firefighting personal protective equipment (firefighting PPE) must provide written notice at the time of sale to purchasers of firefighting PPE that contains PFAS chemicals. Firefighting PPE includes clothing designed or intended to be worn by firefighting personnel, including jackets, pants, shoes, gloves, helmets, and respiratory equipment. Purchasers, manufacturers, and other persons selling PFAS-containing firefighting PPE must retain this written notice for three years, and furnish it to the ECY upon request.

Firefighting Foam.

Beginning July 1, 2020, manufacturers, importers, and distributors may not manufacture, sell, or distribute firefighting foams designed for liquid flammable fires to which PFAS chemicals have been intentionally added. This restriction does not apply where the inclusion of PFAS chemicals in liquid flammable fire firefighting foam is required by federal law, including where currently required by the FAA. In the event that the FAA rule or other federal rules change after January 1, 2018, the ECY is authorized to adopt rules for the sales and uses of PFAS chemicals in firefighting foams that are addressed by the federal rule.

Manufacturers, importers, and distributors of firefighting foam that contains PFAS chemicals must notify persons that sell their product in Washington by July 1, 2019. Persons that manufacture, sell, or distribute restricted firefighting foam that contains PFAS chemicals must recall the product and reimburse the purchaser of the product.

Administrative Provisions Related to Firefighting Foam and Personal Protective Equipment.

The ECY may require certificates of compliance from manufacturers, importers, or distributors of firefighting foam designed for liquid flammable fires and for firefighting PPE.

The ECY must help other state agencies, fire districts, and local governments to avoid purchasing firefighting agents that contain PFAS chemicals, and to give preference to the purchase of firefighting PPE that does not contain PFAS chemicals.

Violations of firefighting PPE PFAS disclosure requirements and firefighting foam PFAS restrictions are subject to civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation for initial offenses, and up to $10,000 for repeat offenses.