Action: Phase Out Toxic PFAS Chemicals in Oregon

Dear friend of Oregon’s environment,

🧪🧪 Stop toxic PFAS pollution for generations. Act this week! 🧪🧪

Products we use every day contain toxic PFAS aka 'forever’ chemicals. These dangerous chemicals can cause major health problems in Oregon–like cancer, heart disease, weakened immune systems, and development and behavioral issues in children.

You can’t see, smell or taste toxic PFAS chemicals, but they build up in the environment and your body. PFAS take thousands of years to break down, ultimately accumulating in water, harming pollinators, and leaching out of landfills. Alarmingly, PFAS have been found in the blood of 97% of Americans, and even in breastmilk.

You can help eliminate toxic PFAS in Oregon. Tell state lawmakers to support HB 3512 to phase out PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam, and in consumer products that have safer alternatives. A majority of states have already passed laws cutting PFAS in many products.

This week, legislators will consider a PFAS Phase Out bill (HB 3512) to keep our communities safe from avoidable toxic PFAS chemicals! SUBMIT WRITTEN TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT by 3/15 at 8 AM.

1. Visit the HB 3512 written testimony page.
2. Select your “Position on Measure” as SUPPORT.
3. Click the "Submit Testimony" link and attach your document.

Use the framework below to craft your personal message:

—
Dear Chair Lively, Vice-Chair Gamba, and Members of the Committee,

My name is [First and Last Name], and I live in [City]. I am writing in support of HB 3512 to get toxic chemicals out of consumer products and out of the firefighting foam that’s harming firefighters.

I support HB 3512 because:
• [Share your experience with health issues that can be caused by PFAS including: cancer, fertility issues, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure during pregnancy. For children, low birth weight, and issues with behavior and development.]
• [Share why you care about children’s health.]
• [Share why you care about firefighter health.]
• [Share why you care about safe drinking water and the pollinators, fish and wildlife that PFAS harms.]
• [Add one or two of the talking points below.]

Thank you in advance for your support of HB 3512.

Sincerely,
Name
City, Oregon
—

Reasons to pass PFAS Phaseout Bill (House Bill 5312):

PFAS are toxic “forever chemicals" that can take thousands of years to break down and build up over time – in our soil, water, and bodies. Alarmingly, PFAS are in the blood of 97% of Americans. These dangerous chemicals stay in our environment for generations and harm our health–causing cancers, lower birth weight, liver damage, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, fertility issues, and issues with development in children. Oregon must act now to start phasing out PFAS.
A majority of states have banned firefighting foam containing PFAS, and instead use a PFAS-free alternative. Oregon needs to do the same. Firefighters have 9% higher rates of cancer than the average American. Fire suppressing foam shouldn't poison our firefighters.
It’s time for Oregon to switch to products that are PFAS free. When we stop PFAS at the source, we prevent these chemicals from getting into our soil and water where they can impact the crops, pollinators, livestock and fish on which we depend. By stopping PFAS at the source, we can also prevent ratepayers from being stuck with the bill for ongoing water treatment costs.

Help Oregon phase out PFAS and shift to safer product alternatives! Tell lawmakers to support HB 3512.