Pennsylvania would restrict PFAS firefighting foam and require gear warnings

Foam manufacturers, importers, and distributors would face restrictions on making and supplying covered foam. People, including firefighters, would also be barred from using it. The limits would cover Pennsylvania foam for flammable-liquid fires containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals. Covered suppliers include manufacturers, importers, and distributors. The restrictions would not apply to any part of an airport, chemical plant, oil refinery, or flammable-liquid or natural-gas terminal, storage facility, or distribution facility. Foam required to contain PFAS by federal law would be exempt. If that requirement is revoked after July 1, 2025, the exemption would continue for one year after revocation. The supplier rule covers manufacturing and knowingly selling, offering for sale, or distributing covered foam for sale or use in Pennsylvania. The Department of Environmental Protection would investigate complaints. The Attorney General could seek fines up to $5,000 for a first offense and $10,000 for later offenses. Collections would go to the Fire Company Grant Program. The section would take effect 60 days after enactment. The text sets July 1, 2026, for supplier restrictions and January 1, 2027, for the use ban.

Protective gear suppliers would label products to show whether they contain intentionally added PFAS chemicals. The rules would cover manufacturers, importers, and domestic distributors of firefighter gear sold for Pennsylvania use, including clothing, helmets, and breathing equipment. A supplier that later learns through true and accurate information that sold gear contains intentionally added PFAS would notify the last known buyer and post product-specific information online. Suppliers could place a QR code on the required label to link buyers to more product-specific information. The Office of the State Fire Commissioner would enforce the rules. Fines could reach $5,000 for a first violation and $10,000 for each later violation. Collections would go to the Fire Company Grant Program and the Emergency Medical Services Grant Program. The protective gear rules would take effect 180 days after enactment.

The State Fire Commissioner would help firefighting organizations switch foams and could award eligible fire companies grants for foam replacement and disposal. Transition help would cover Pennsylvania firefighting organizations, including municipal fire departments and volunteer fire companies. Grants would be limited to eligible fire companies. At a firefighting organization's request, the commissioner would work with the Department of Environmental Protection on a plan to transport, store, dispose of, and destroy unused covered foam. The commissioner would maintain a list of authorized vendors that remove the foam and take responsibility for its transport and removal. Grants could cover unused foam disposal under that plan and purchases of foam without intentionally added PFAS. Awards would not be guaranteed. The transition assistance and grant provisions would take effect 60 days after enactment.