By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a measure that would require a manufacturer or person that sells Firefighting Personal Protective Equipment to any person or government agency, to provide, beginning January 1, 2025, written notice to the buyer, at the time of sale, if the equipment contains toxic PSAs, as well as the reason such chemicals were added to the equipment.

Beginning on January 1, 2027, the bill prohibits any person from manufacturing, knowingly selling or distributing any equipment containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals.

“Firefighters put their life on the line every day to protect the residents of Massachusetts,” said sponsor Rep. Jim Hawkins (D-Attleboro). “The gear used to protect them in the performance of their duties in fact contains PFAS which is contributing to the rates of occupational cancer among Firefighters. [The proposal] will not only help identify turnout gear containing PFAS but phase out such forever chemicals from this gear going forward.”