By Jen Quinn, Legislative & Political Director, Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter
PFAS. PFOA. Forever chemicals. At this point, almost everyone has heard of these chemicals, and regardless of how you refer to them, they are bad news and they are everywhere. You can find them in electronics, skincare and cosmetics, food, cookware, food packaging, carpet, drinking water supplies, (the list is endless), and of course, accumulating in our bodies.
One of the most significant sources of drinking water contamination is PFAS-containing firefighting foam, which is used to extinguish fires involving flammable liquids such as fuel, oil, and gasoline, and for firefighter training activities.
A prime example of this contamination can be found in Horsham, PA, where historical activities at the former Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove and Horsham Air Guard Station used firefighting foam containing PFAS, which leached into the groundwater and contaminated public and private water supplies.
Fifteen states have already banned the sale of firefighting foam containing PFAS. We are hopeful that Pennsylvania will join that list. HB 1261, which would ban the sale of PFAS foam by 2026 and ban the use of PFAS foam by 2027, passed the state House unanimously on July 1.
We have worked closely with environmental partners and the International Association of Firefighters on this bill since last summer. Cancer is now the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths for firefighters. That cancer is directly related to the PFAS foam they use and the fact that their ‘turnout gear’, or the protective jackets and coats they wear, contain PFAS. Environmental groups have serious concerns about the ecological and public health impacts of PFAS. We realized we shared a common goal, so teaming up with the firefighters made perfect sense.
HB 1261 does not ban PFAS in turnout gear, but it does require a warning label in all gear. We will likely see future bills banning PFAS-laden gear, as the firefighters continue their work to remove PFAS from use in the fire service.
We are crossing our fingers and toes and waiting for the Senate to pass HB 1261. Stay tuned, as there will likely be opportunities for advocacy as we urge the state Senate to do the right thing and protect our environment, our communities, and our first responders by passing this PFAS ban.
This blog was included as part of the August 2025 Sylvanian newsletter. Please click here to check out more articles from this edition!