Dear Chairman Tonko and Ranking Member Shimkus:
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce writes regarding the hearing, “Legislative Proposals to Protect Americans at Risk of PFAS Contamination & Exposure.”
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large and diverse class of chemicals with unique properties that have been used in a broad number of beneficial applications for years. Heightened attention to potential health effects of certain PFAS chemicals has understandably led to increased public concern and interest in new regulatory protections in this area.
The Chamber supports action to address these concerns, and is committed to proactively working with legislators, regulators, and all stakeholders to establish risk-based standards that protect human health and the environment. Collaboration and transparency are critical to any such efforts, and the government, industry, and the scientific community must work together to share knowledge and focus resources on the highest priorities based on actual risk, while utilizing existing regulatory processes to proactively address both current and future issues.