Shaheen Pushes for National Health Study on PFCs

Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen is pushing for a national health study on the health effects of perfluorochemicals – the same chemicals that contaminated drinking water at the former Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth.

In an amendment to a $700 billion military spending bill, Senator Sheehan is hoping to fund a $7 million national health study about the effects of perfluorochemicals, or PFCS.

Over 1500 people, including many children were exposed to the emerging contaminants at Pease. Air Force officials believe the source of the chemicals was a firefighting foam used at the base.

The health effects of exposure to PFCs are poorly understood, which is why, Shaheen says, the study is necessary.

“We will be continuing to work to make sure that this amendment stays in to the final version of the bill so that people can understand what the long term impacts on their health might be.”

The spending bill carrying Shaheen’s amendment has cleared a committee vote. It will need to survive a floor vote in the Senate and reconciliation with a House version of the bill before becoming law.