HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	212
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

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.

Report Title:

DOH; PFAS; Forever Chemicals; Health; Environment; Imports