Each of the differing $740-billion defense authorization bills that the House and Senate passed during the week of July 20 includes several provisions that would address pollution caused by per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS) at Dept.of Defense (DOD) facilities. But neither would classify the chemicals as hazardous materials eligible for Superfund cleanup.
Each of the bills would provide funding for research and development on PFAS remediation methods, as well as additional funding for cleanups at active DOD sites. But environmental and public health advocates say the bills do not go far enough to address PFAS contamination. They describe the measures as lost opportunities to address PFAS pollution in a significant way.