Carper Questions Senior DoD Officials on PFAS Contamination

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) and a senior member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC), today participated in a HSGAC hearing examining federal efforts to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination.

Carper questioned senior U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) officials and reiterated the urgent need for federal action.  

“I fully realize the critical importance of PFAS contamination and am all too aware of the ongoing impact that these toxic, forever chemicals have on countless communities across the country, including my own,” said Carper. “The complete absence of federal limits on these toxic substances has sent many states scrambling to protect their communities and resources. Many states have had to use limited resources to set state-specific standards, a move which could end up creating a patchwork of regulatory requirements that could hamper an effective national effort to manage a nationwide public health threat.”

Carper continued, “In response to this serious lack of federal protection, I am working with my colleagues on the Environment and Public Works Committee…on a Senate legislative package to address PFAS contamination—building off of the EPA’s recent PFAS Strategic Roadmap and a thoughtful PFAS package passed by the House…I personally feel a great sense of urgency to take steps that will hopefully provide relief to affected communities, families, and particularly our most vulnerable infants and children so desperately in need.”