| 43 | | - | WHEREAS, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, or forever chemicals, are persistent toxic substances that can contaminate drinking water, bioaccumulate in fish and wildlife, have adverse health effects on humans, and do not break down in the environment; and WHEREAS, scientific studies have shown that exposure to PFAS is harmful to the health and well-being of humans and wildlife; and WHEREAS, PFAS exposure has been linked to increased cholesterol levels, lower antibody response to some vaccines, changes in liver enzymes, pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia, decreases in birth weight, kidney and testicular cancer, and decreased fertility; and WHEREAS, despite the adverse health effects, PFAS continue to be used in a variety of products, packaging, and materials that are imported into the State; and WHEREAS, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has promulgated rules to dramatically reduce maximum contaminant levels for PFAS in drinking water, but has not yet taken action to phase out the production of PFAS or their use in a wide variety of everyday products; and WHEREAS, any PFAS imported into the State pose a risk to human health and will eventually enter the food chain and contaminate already scarce drinking water aquifers; and WHEREAS, the State has a duty to protect the health and safety of the public; and WHEREAS, the State should limit, to the extent possible, the further importation of new PFAS into Hawaii; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Health is urged to investigate and implement policies to reduce the importation of products, packaging, or materials containing PFAS into the State; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is requested to pursue funding for the implementation of the investigation to reduce the importation of products, packaging, or materials containing PFAS into the State; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health and Deputy Director for Environmental Health Administration. Report Title: DOH; PFAS; Forever Chemicals; Health; Environment; Imports |
|---|
| 45 | + | WHEREAS, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, or forever chemicals, are persistent toxic substances that can contaminate drinking water, bioaccumulate in fish and wildlife, have adverse health effects on humans, and do not break down in the environment; and WHEREAS, scientific studies have shown that exposure to PFAS is harmful to the health and well-being of humans and wildlife; and WHEREAS, PFAS exposure has been linked to increased cholesterol levels, lower antibody response to some vaccines, changes in liver enzymes, pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia, decreases in birth weight, kidney and testicular cancer, and decreased fertility; and WHEREAS, despite the adverse health effects, PFAS continue to be used in a variety of products, packaging, and materials that are imported into the State; and WHEREAS, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has promulgated rules to dramatically reduce maximum contaminant levels for PFAS in drinking water, but has not yet taken action to phase out the production of PFAS or their use in a wide variety of everyday products; and WHEREAS, any PFAS imported into the State pose a risk to human health and will eventually enter the food chain and contaminate already scarce drinking water aquifers; and WHEREAS, the State has a duty to protect the health and safety of the public; and WHEREAS, the State should limit, to the extent possible, the further importation of new PFAS into Hawaii; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Health is urged to investigate and implement policies to reduce the importation of products, packaging, or materials containing PFAS into the State; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health and Deputy Director for Environmental Health Administration. OFFERED BY: _____________________________ Report Title: DOH; PFAS; Forever Chemicals; Health; Environment; Imports |
|---|