The New Hampshire House passed HB 1264, omnibus legislation setting contaminant levels for perfluorochemicals in drinking water, appropriating funds for remediation of contaminants and requiring insurance coverage for blood testing for PFA and PFC compounds.
Today has been a long-awaited day of hope. The best available scientific evidence has shown that PFAS chemicals bioaccumulate in our bodies, do not break down in our environment and can lead to adverse human health effects for exposed populations. New Hampshire has the highest rates of pediatric, breast, bladder and esophageal cancers in the nation and it is incumbent upon us to exercise caution and use science to dictate policy that protects the environment and human health at all stages of life.
This bill also extends the Commission on the Seacoast Cancer Cluster Investigation, which continues to evaluate potential environmental contaminant exposures that may impact residents’ health and lead to cancer. Recognizing that unsafe levels of PFAS in our drinking water can result in significant lifelong health complications including kidney and testicular cancer, pregnancy complications, cholesterol issues and ulcerative colitis, the bipartisan legislation that passed 23-1 on Tuesday sets maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for PFAS based on the latest science from the NH Department of Environmental Services, provides financial relief to municipalities taking on remediation projects, and mandates insurance coverage for PFAS blood testing.