Vermont Senator and presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders has introduced the Preventing Future American Sickness (PFAS) Act to mitigate the spread of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination.

The legislation would designate PFAS chemicals as hazardous substances and would open initiatives to force PFAS manufacturers to foot the bill for cleanup efforts. It would also allow the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to offer cleanup grants to entities looking to remove PFAS substances from drinking water.

The Hill has more information:

A trio of senators led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced a bill Wednesday designed to stem the spread of a cancer-linked chemical that has leached into the water supply.

The Preventing Future American Sickness (PFAS) Act goes after a class of chemicals that uses the same abbreviation and is used in products ranging from raincoats to nonstick cookware.

PFAS substances have been called “forever” chemicals due to their persistence in the body and the environment, and cities are facing mounting bills as they seek to remove the substance from their water.

Read the full article here.