Connecticut State Department of Administrative Services

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DAS is working to remove PFAS from our state's environment

Posted 12/13/2022
By Darren Hobbs
General GovernmentProcurementOffice of the State Building Inspector

On December 8, the Department of Administrative Services participated in the Connecticut Interagency PFAS Task Force meeting at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.  The goal of the annual meeting is to review how the state is addressing PFAS (per-and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) in Connecticut. PFAS are manmade chemicals used in a vast number of consumer and industrial products. They’re often referred to as “forever chemicals,” because most don’t break down.


In 2019 Governor Lamont charged the Task Force with producing an Action Plan laying out a comprehensive state strategy to:

  

  • Minimize environmental exposure to PFAS for Connecticut residents

  • Minimize future releases of PFAS to the environment and

  • Identify, assess, and clean up historical releases of PFAS to the environment.

 

DAS and the State Fire Marshal’s office has been working with the Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) to grant special approval of alternative fire safety measures within CT airports, specifically:

  

Bradley Airport:

  • PFAS fire extinguishing foam systems were removed from 7 out of 13 hangars.

  • PFAS changed to an environmentally friendly foam system in 2 other hangars.

  • The remaining 4 hangars are under Federal jurisdiction.

  

Oxford Airport:

  • PFAS fire extinguishing foam systems were removed from all 4 hangars.

  • New Oxford Airport using a water sprinkler system

  

Additionally, DAS Procurement was charged with issuing state contracts that specifically ban PFAS.

  • In 2019, a statewide contract was issued banning PFAS and related chemicals in food service products.

  • In 2021, a statewide contract was issued banning PFAS and related chemicals from cleaning chemicals, janitorial supplies, and disposable liners.

  • In 2021, a statewide contract was issued for National Foam Universal F3 Green.

  • These contracts are mandatory for executive branch agencies and are available for use by all political subdivisions in the state.

  

Working with the State Fire Marshal’s Office, DAS Procurement, and partners at DPH and DEEP, DAS is dedicated to doing its part in keeping these PFAS chemicals out of our state’s environment.  

More information:

Watch the meeting here

Learn more about the PFAS Task Force here