Bill Text: HI HCR212 | 2024 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Urging The Department Of Health To Investigate And Implement Policies To Reduce The Importation Of Ingestible Food And Beverage Products, Packaging, Or Materials Containing Perfluoroalkyl And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Into The State.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2024-04-05 - Referred to HHS/AEN. [HCR212 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-HCR212-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.C.R. NO. |
212 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO INVESTIGATE AND IMPLEMENT POLICIES TO REDUCE THE IMPORTATION OF INGESTIBLE FOOD AND BEVERAGE PRODUCTS, PACKAGING, OR MATERIALS CONTAINING PERFLUOROALKYL AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES INTO THE STATE.
WHEREAS, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, or forever chemicals, are persistent toxic substances that can contaminate drinking water, bioaccumulate in fish and wildlife, have adverse health effects on humans, and do not break down in the environment; and
WHEREAS, scientific studies have shown that exposure to PFAS is harmful to the health and well-being of humans and wildlife; and
WHEREAS, PFAS exposure has been linked to increased cholesterol levels, lower antibody response to some vaccines, changes in liver enzymes, pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia, decreases in birth weight, kidney and testicular cancer, and decreased fertility; and
WHEREAS, despite the adverse health effects, PFAS continue to be used in a variety of products, packaging, and materials that are imported into the State; and
WHEREAS, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has promulgated rules to dramatically reduce maximum contaminant levels for PFAS in drinking water, but has not yet taken action to phase out the production of PFAS or their use in a wide variety of everyday products; and
WHEREAS, any PFAS imported into the State pose a risk to human health and will eventually enter the food chain and contaminate already scarce drinking water aquifers; and
WHEREAS, the State has a duty to protect the health and safety of the public; and
WHEREAS, the State should limit, to the extent possible, the further importation of new PFAS into Hawaii; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Health is urged to investigate and implement policies to reduce the importation of ingestible food and beverage products, packaging, or materials containing PFAS into the State; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the United States Department of Defense PFAS Task Force, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Director of Health, Deputy Director for Environmental Health Administration, Manager and Chief Engineer of the City and County of Honolulu Board of Water Supply, Manager and Chief Engineer of the County of Hawaii Department of Water Supply, Manager and Chief Engineer of the County of Kauai Department of Water, and Director of the County of Maui Department of Water Supply.
DOH; PFAS; Forever Chemicals; Health; Environment; Imports
