PFAS LOBBYING DAY, MAY 15TH, 2019 SUMMARY OF EVENTS
Invited by Ken Cook of EWG to join the lobbying efforts to share stories and findings with the lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Tuesday, May 14th, accompanied a large crowd of activists from across the nation to a showing the documentary ‘The Devil We Know’. Hosted by Ken Cook of The Environmental Working Group and Congressman Dan Kildee in the Capitol Visitor Center along with reception.
The event was followed by a discussion with expert panel members; Sue and Bucky Bailey, Producer Kristin Lazure, and Environmental Attorney Robert Bilott.
After the film, and panel discussion, I was able to hold a brief discussion with Dan Kildee.
Congressman Kildee is aware of firefighters wearing PFAS laden PPE and, he advised what he is waiting for before he makes his next move.
Wednesday, May 15th we met for a briefing by EWG’s Scott Faber and Ken Cook.
Our guide was Environment America’s Bart Johnsen-Harris who knows the PFAS bills like the back of his hand.
I was paired with our friends and scientists Mindi Messmer of New Hampshire Safe Water Alliance and Kristen Mello of WRAFT. Mindi is an environmental scientist, and Kristen an analytical chemist.
These women speak a language of testing protocols, test results and studies, and use acronyms I don’t know. As a team we were dynamic. They spoke of their own community PFAS contamination, while sharing the plight of the fire service with our multiple routes of exposure to the timing of replacement AFFF vs non-fluorine AFFF. It was fantastic.
We had ten bipartisan appointments set.
I carried 25 packets of information that included my Statement to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for the “HEARING ON “PROTECTING AMERICANS AT RISK OF PFAS CONTAMINATION & EXPOSURE”, the results of Professor Graham Peaslee’s PFAS content on new, never-worn turnout gear from 2004, and the testimonials of numerous firefighters and families who have suffered from cancer. I was proud to carry the words of everyone with me. The statements are profound and I encourage everyone to read the messages from the leaders, survivors, and family members suffering cancer.
By the end of the day, I had no more packets and moved on to handing out my one page ‘cliff notes’ on this issue for anyone I thought might be open to hearing our issue.
I first saw Representative Lori Trahan of Massachusetts in one of the halls. I quickly spoke to her while handing her a packet. I followed up with a call to her on Friday. Her Washington DC team was already aware of my impromptu meeting the day before with Congresswoman Trahan and instructed me on what they would like next.
Our team visited the offices of:
Representative Paul Cook of California, we were able to give staff assistant Joe Tavares an outline of our issue regarding the PPE and needs of the fire service.
Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire. We met with Kenzie Marshall, Legislative Correspondent whose team is well aware of our issue and is also awaiting results of Professor Peaslee’s testing.
Representative Mike Burgess of Texas. Kristen was able to discuss the recent fire that used over one hundred thousand gallons of AFFF in a Texas community and discuss the fluorine free alternatives.
Interview with NBC news anchor Caroline Tucker which led to this news bulletin from Karen Hensel of NBC 10 Boston; https://www.nbcboston.com/investigations/Wife-of-Former-Firefighter-Testifies-About-PFAS-Danger-510041181.html
Special accommodation by Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s office and visit with Dr Ariel Marshall. I speak with Ariel and Peter Clarke of Senator Shaheen’s office regularly. It was fantastic to sit with Ariel and hear that they are working on areas that hope to conclude with some of the studies we seek. Ariel is in regular contact with Professor Peaslee and for that we are so very grateful.
Interview with anchor Dorey Scheimer Cox Media who then fed to Blair Miller of Fox 25 Boston who is will let me know when the link is available to the interview.
Then on to Representative Troy Balderson of Ohio and met with his legislative correspondent John Kohler.
Not on our list but couldn’t resist a chance to see Representative Jim McGovern, and his aide John Swords. Although neither was in the office at that time we left our packet and ‘wicked cool sticka’. Jim has been involved with me since day one. Over two years ago Jim said “I’m with you Diane, but you have to get the unions behind you”… and Jim was right. We now have the support of almost every state in the union as they work towards their own PFAS in PPE legislation. Jim kept his word. He and Rep Brian Fitzpatrick co-authored a letter to get firefighters in the ATSDR study.
We met with Representative Chris Pappas of New Hampshire and Legislative Director Steven Carlson where Paul and I now live in New Hampshire. This was a terrific meeting. Rep Pappas understood our issue and has long been aware of our efforts. He is reaching out to various involved parties who will give further insight on the issue.
Insightful meeting with Representative Rob Latta’s legislative agent Madeline Vey. Madeline was concerned and attentive to our issue while hearing the concerns of Mindi Messmer and Kristen Mello as they spoke of their impacted communities.
Visited the Office of Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts. His staff of Avenel Joseph, Ph.D. and Hannah Vogel among others was extremely concerned and attentive of the PFAS and PPE issue. What we thought would be a meeting of two or three turned into a meeting of 8–10. There is much support for the PFAS contamination issue, and much support for firefighters wearing this gear. We brought understanding of the plight that we have no substitutions and of course the conflicts of interest that have allowed this to go unnoticed for twenty years.
I suspect they will be reaching out to Professor Peaslee if they haven’t done so already.
I stopped at the office of Representative Carolyn Maloney of New York. As many of you know, Rep Maloney is working to ensure the 9/11 funds remain intact. She has sworn to wear her FDNY turnout gear until the funds are permanently secured. I provided her office with our statement and testimonies and another ‘wicked cool sticka’.
I stopped at the office of Senator Kamala Harris who was not in but I asked to speak to an aide and advised of this IDLH issue firefighters are facing. I provided a packet of information for the Senator.
A special thank you to Senator Elizabeth Warren who has written an amendment seeking 5 million dollars for first responders PFAS studies. I met with her aide Amanda Knightly in New Hampshire just days prior to this trip. Senator Warren’s aides Courtney Brunson and Ashley Coulombe are in regular communication with updates and efforts to help us.
Sincerely,
Diane Cotter
Your Turnout Gear and PFOA