Aug. 28, 2018
HARRISBURG — Rep. Tom Murt (R-Montgomery/Philadelphia) today met with two representatives from the Office of Gov. Tom Wolf and urged them to support his legislation to reduce the legal levels of PFAS in the state’s drinking to the lowest level in the nation.
During the meeting with Wolf’s Deputy Policy Secretary Sam Robinson and Sarah Clark, legislative liaison for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Murt turned over a petition signed by more than 3,000 local residents demanding the allowable levels of PFAS in the state’s drinking water be dropped to the lowest level in the nation.
Murt has introduced
House Bill 705 to lower the state standard for PFAS to the nearly undetectable five parts per trillion.
During the meeting, Robinson said the administration will continue studying the issue before committing to the legislation.
“I want to thank the administration for hearing our concerns and agreeing to relay those concerns to the governor,” Murt said. “It is critical that the Legislature move quickly on my bill to protect our children.”
In a letter requesting the meeting, Murt explained that the communities of Horsham and Warminster have been hit hard by PFAS contamination, and they are still dealing with catastrophic illness, loss of property value and fear.
It is believed PFAS chemicals entered local water supplies from the Willow Grove Naval Air Station Joint Reserve where the U.S. Department of Defense used the chemicals in training to extinguish fires.
The state standard for PFAS in water is 70 parts per trillion. Water in the Horsham area has been shown to have higher levels of the chemical. The Centers for Disease Control said levels of 10 parts per trillion are considered safe for the drinking supply.
The chemical PFAS is considered a carcinogen and is linked to liver damage, thyroid disease and decreased fertility.
Representative Thomas P. Murt
152nd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: David Foster
267.207.0207
dfoster@pahousegop.com
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