Gov. Ned Lamont has signed a bill into law that prohibits the use of firefighting foam and food packaging that contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
PFAS is a group of chemicals, per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, that can be dangerous if it gets into rivers and groundwater.
The law bans the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam, or “AFFF,” effective Oct 1, 2021. But, effective immediately, AFFF is not permitted for use in training activities, the governor said.
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"I'd like to think we're going to be leaders and early when it comes to PFAS," Lamont said Tuesday.
The law phases out PFAS-containing food packaging by 2023.
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“This new law makes Connecticut residents safer, plain and simple,” Lamont said in a statement. “Reducing the potential for another release of these forever chemicals into our environment, and reducing the amount of PFAS-containing products in circulation in our state, is the right thing to do for the health of the residents of Connecticut and our environment.”
