This morning I received a call from Peter Clarke, Special Assistant for Constituent Services for Senator Jeanne Shaheen who provided this update for our 2.2 million dollar PFAS in PPE study Senator Shaheen procured last year with this announcement:

Shaheen, Gardner Announce New Legislation to Address Health Concerns Regarding PFAS Exposure…

Here are the bullet point updates from the conversation.

• Senator Shaheen is the Ranking Member on the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Subcommittee of which NIST falls under.

National Institute of Standards and Technology | NIST

• One of the conditions of the 2.2 million dollar study is that updates must be given to congress yearly. Fiscal year ends October 2020.
• There are 11 staff members involved in the study of PFAS in turnout gear with the following goals set:
• Using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, to analyze the type and quantity of PFAS on new, off-the-shelf turnout gear. There has been some delay in testing due to Covid19, but they have procured the new turnout gear.
• Identify methods of gear in lab for ‘end use’ pertaining to shedding of pfas and end of life concerns.
• Looking for best methodology for analyzing PFAS released from turnout gear.
• Codify into law the funding for study.
• This is a top priority for Senator Shaheen.

Thank you for the update and continued conversation Senator !!