WASHINGTON — Yesterday, Reps. Dean, Kildee and Sen. Gillibrand announced the introduction of the PFAS Accountability Act to create a federal cause of action that would help courts award medical monitoring for victims of PFAS exposure. The press rollout included the following guests: Mark Ruffalo, environmental advocate, actor and producer of Dark Waters; Rob Bilott, the environmental attorney who inspired Dark Waters and author of “Exposure”; and activists.
“We made significant strides in Pennsylvania’s Fourth District to understand the health implications of PFAS through federally funded health studies – and the PFAS Accountability Act – combined with these studies – will allow more people to make justified claims against PFAS manufacturers,” said Rep. Dean. “Research on the health implications of PFAS is vital to save lives — and accountability is necessary for healing to get to a measure of justice.”
The PFAS Accountability Act would improve legal pathways to award medical monitoring for PFAS contamination victims to prevent premature morbidity, disability, or mortality. The legislation would also establish a federal cause of action for victims of significant PFAS exposure to bring claims against manufacturers of PFAS and incentivize funding for PFAS safety research.
“The discovery of PFAS contamination in communities across New York was shocking and devastating—no parent should have to worry about their child being exposed to dangerous toxins in their water,” said Sen. Gillibrand. “Unfortunately, PFAS contamination has put the health of far too many New Yorkers at risk for PFAS-related diseases that take years to develop, which is exactly why medical monitoring is critical. I’m proud to introduce this new legislation alongside my House colleagues, Representatives Dean and Kildee, and I will continue fighting until it is signed into law.”
“It’s long past time for us to hold polluters accountable,” said Rep. Kildee. “I am proud to join Congresswoman Dean and Senator Gillibrand to introduce the PFAS Accountability Act, to help those exposed to PFAS chemicals get the justice they deserve. This legislation would hold PFAS manufacturers accountable and make it easier for victims of PFAS chemical exposure to take legal action against pollution companies.”
“This is a piece of legislation that is long overdue for affected communities like mine in desperate need of help – and can finally help empower our community with medical monitoring that allows us to be treated for PFAS related health problems and get blood tests and screenings so that cancer and other diseases can be detected early, saving countless lives,” said Joanne Stanton, co-founder of Buxmont Coalition for Safer Water.
Cosponsors of the PFAS Accountability Act include Reps. Kildee, Tlaib, Nadler, Boyle, Strickland, Dingell, Newman, Maloney.
