President Signs Shaheen Legislation Establishing First-Ever Nationwide PFC Water Contamination Study

(Washington, DC) — Today, the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was signed into law, which includes Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s (D-NH) nationwide health study on the impact of perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in drinking water. This is the first-ever nationwide study of its kind.

“I’m glad that we can finally move forward with this study and help Seacoast families get the answers they deserve,” said Senator Shaheen. “It is completely unacceptable that parents in our community, and those in affected communities across the nation, have to worry about the safety of their children’s drinking water because of this contamination. I appreciate the bipartisan support for my amendment, and I’ll continue to work across the aisle to ensure we get the necessary funding to complete this study.” 

Senator Shaheen’s bipartisan amendment grants the Department of Defense (DOD) authorization to fund the first-ever nationwide health study on implications of perfluorinated chemicals, such as PFOA, in drinking water. This amendment is particularly important for families living in the Seacoast area, following the Air Force’s announcement in May that it would not fund a health study of water contamination around Haven Well at the Pease International Tradeport. The nationwide study will be conducted by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Senator Shaheen has also introduced the Safe Drinking Water Assistance Act, bipartisan legislation that will help expedite the analysis of contaminants, such as PFOA, and provide resources to states dealing with the health challenges posed by these potentially harmful materials.

Senator Shaheen, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, amended the NDAA to establish the health study in June of this year.