Lawmakers consider banning harmful 'forever chemicals'

FARMER. THE HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARD TESTIMONY THAT PFAS ARE ESPECIALLY HARMFUL TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF FETUSES AND CHILDREN. MARYLAND, WHICH HAS ALREADY BANNED FISH SAUCE, AND FOUR OTHER PRODUCTS, WOULD JOIN MINNESOTA AND MAINE, ADDING PESTICIDES TO THE LIST. SPRAY ING THIS, STATE AGRICULTURE OFFICIALS SAY, IS AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO GET RID OF THAT. THE SPOTTED LANTERNFLY, THE PESKY DESTRUCTIVE INVASIVE SPECIES THAT FEEDS ON PLANTS AND HARMS TREES. THE POTENTIAL EXPENSE OF USING A PFAS FREE PESTICIDE PALES IN COMPARISON WITH THE HARM THE FOREVER CHEMICALS CAUSE ON PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT. THEY’VE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH CANCERS THEY CAN AFFECT THE IMMUNE SYSTEM AND MAKE IT HARDER TO FIGHT INFECTIONS. A BILL UNDER CONSIDERATION AT THE STATE HOUSE TAKES AIM AT PESTICIDE THAT CONTAIN PFAS. WHAT THAT BILL WILL DO IS IT WILL NO LONGER ALLOW PESTICIDES THAT HAVE A FAT -- AS THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT TO BE SOLD IN MARYLAND. PRODUCTS WITH PFAS ALREADY BANNED IN MARYLAND INCLUDE FIREFIGHTER FOAM, COSMETICS, FOOD PACKAGING, CARPETS AND RUGS. MARYLAND IS A LEADER IN ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM, ACCORDING TO SAFER STATE, AN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ORGANIZATION, 11 OTHER STATES HAVE JOINED MARYLAND IN BANNING THE SALE OF PFAS AND FIREFIGHTER FOAM. 11 STATES ARE PHASING OUT PFAS AND FOOD PACKAGING. SEVEN OTHER STATES ADOPTED RESTRICTIONS ON PFAS AND CARPETS AND RUGS. FIVE OTHER STATES ARE TAKING ACTION TO ELIMINATE PFAS IN COSMETICS, EXPERTS SAY PFAS HARM THE ENVIRONMENT AND OUR FOOD CHAIN IT CAN RUN OFF WITH WITH, WITH IN GROUNDWATER. UM, YOU KNOW, IT IT CAN GO, IT CAN MOVE. I MEAN, IT’S IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY. IT’S IN IT’S IN FISH. IT’S IN EVERYTHING. WE ORGANIC FARMERS KNOW KNOW THAT THERE ARE WAYS TO EFFECTIVELY CONTROL PESTS WITHOUT RESORTING TO THOSE KIND OF SYNTHETICS THAT DO HAVE PUBLIC HEALTH CONSEQUENCES AND CONSEQUENCES FOR THE FARMLAND. AND FOR THE FARMERS. 32 NATIONAL RETAILERS ARE VOLUNTARILY TAKING STEPS TO KEEP PFAS OFF THEIR STORE SHELVES. THE CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION, UNDER THE MARYLAND AG’S OFFICE WOULD ENFORCE THE LAW. VIOLATORS FACE STIFF FINES AND OR 60 DAYS I

Maryland lawmakers are discussing a ban on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as "forever chemicals."PFAS chemicals are commonly found in pesticides used for lawn care, insect control and crops. Doctors warned that they are extremely dangerous."They've been associated with cancers. It can affect the immune system and make it harder to fight infections," Dr. Michael Ichniowski said.Products with PFAS as an active ingredient are sold just about everywhere in Maryland. They're known as "forever chemicals" because they don't break down in the environment."As a farmer, I'm concerned that Maryland farmland is continuing to be contaminated with PFAS chemicals," Eastern Shore organic farmer Cleo Braver said. "It can run off in groundwater. It can move. It's in the Chesapeake Bay. It's in fish. It's in everything."State lawmakers have already taken steps to ban PFAS in firefighter foam, cosmetics, food packaging, carpets and rugs."What this bill will do is it will no longer allow pesticides that have PFAS as an active ingredient to be sold in Maryland," Maryland Pesticide Education Network project director Sean Lynch said.According to Safer State, an environmental health organization, Maryland is not alone. Eleven states are phasing out PFAS in food packaging. Seven other states adopted restrictions on PFAS in carpets and rugs. Five states are taking action to eliminate the chemicals in cosmetics."They get into the body two ways: either by oral ingestion through contaminated water or contaminated food. It can be inhaled if you happen to be close to where it is being sprayed," Ichniowski said.A ban could come with a cost. The Maryland Department of Agriculture warned that banning pesticides containing PFAS may impact the state's lantern fly program.As many as 32 national retailers are voluntarily taking steps to keep products off their shelves. The consumer protection division of the Maryland Attorney General's Office would enforce the law. Violators would face stiff fines and/or 60 days in jail.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. —

Maryland lawmakers are discussing a ban on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as "forever chemicals."

PFAS chemicals are commonly found in pesticides used for lawn care, insect control and crops. Doctors warned that they are extremely dangerous.

"They've been associated with cancers. It can affect the immune system and make it harder to fight infections," Dr. Michael Ichniowski said.

Products with PFAS as an active ingredient are sold just about everywhere in Maryland. They're known as "forever chemicals" because they don't break down in the environment.

"As a farmer, I'm concerned that Maryland farmland is continuing to be contaminated with PFAS chemicals," Eastern Shore organic farmer Cleo Braver said. "It can run off in groundwater. It can move. It's in the Chesapeake Bay. It's in fish. It's in everything."

State lawmakers have already taken steps to ban PFAS in firefighter foam, cosmetics, food packaging, carpets and rugs.

"What this bill will do is it will no longer allow pesticides that have PFAS as an active ingredient to be sold in Maryland," Maryland Pesticide Education Network project director Sean Lynch said.

According to Safer State, an environmental health organization, Maryland is not alone. Eleven states are phasing out PFAS in food packaging. Seven other states adopted restrictions on PFAS in carpets and rugs. Five states are taking action to eliminate the chemicals in cosmetics.

"They get into the body two ways: either by oral ingestion through contaminated water or contaminated food. It can be inhaled if you happen to be close to where it is being sprayed," Ichniowski said.

A ban could come with a cost. The Maryland Department of Agriculture warned that banning pesticides containing PFAS may impact the state's lantern fly program.

As many as 32 national retailers are voluntarily taking steps to keep products off their shelves. The consumer protection division of the Maryland Attorney General's Office would enforce the law. Violators would face stiff fines and/or 60 days in jail.

Lawmakers consider banning harmful 'forever chemicals'

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