Hudson Statement on EPA's Draft Toxicity Assessments for PFAS Chemicals

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08), a leader on the Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Environment, released the following statement after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its draft toxicity assessments for GenX chemicals and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS), members of a larger group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS):

The EPA is seeking public input on these draft toxicity assessments and is continuing to work to develop a PFAS Management Plan that will provide the agency's approach to addressing PFAS challenge. Learn more here.

Rep. Hudson has been a leader on efforts to tackle GenX. In September, during a Subcommittee hearing to examine per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden applauded Rep. Hudson's leadership saying, "I understand, from Mr. Hudson, that a similar situation exists in his state and I appreciate his efforts to help North Carolinians." In addition, Subcommittee Chairman John Shimkus said, "Many of us are familiar with these substances because of the work of our colleagues, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Upton, and Mr. Hudson, in their districts and states."

Rep. Hudson chaired September's Subcommittee hearing on PFAS water contamination.

Click here to watch Rep. Hudson's opening statement during the Subcommittee hearing. The transcript and more information on that hearing can be found here.

Rep. Hudson continues to be on the front lines of this issue. On August 14, Rep. Hudson arranged for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to hold a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) community engagement event in Fayetteville. Rep. Hudson invited the EPA to hold a community engagement event so the EPA can hear directly from constituents to take action on PFAS.

Once the event was confirmed, he invited Michael S. Regan, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, to attend the PFAS community engagement event in Fayetteville to further coordinate efforts between federal, state, and local leaders. To read that letter, click here.

On June 21, Rep. Hudson sent a letter to the former EPA Administrator, Scott Pruitt, encouraging the EPA to consider visiting North Carolina as part of their continued work on PFAS. Rep. Hudson invited the EPA to visit the eighth district, specifically Fayetteville. To read that letter, click here.

In April, he questioned Administrator Pruitt on GenX and continued his efforts to monitor reports of GenX in areas along the Cape Fear River, to encourage the swift collection and evaluation of data, and to help ensure appropriate measures are taken. To watch Rep. Hudson's questioning of Administrator Pruitt, click here.

On March 6, Rep. Hudson sent a letter to Administrator Pruitt to encourage a thorough examination of GenX that would help develop a comprehensive plan for containment and removal of GenX. To read the letter, click here. The agency responded on April 24, saying, "A key priority for the EPA is to further the understanding of human health impacts of PFAS to support states and local communities. The EPA is currently developing human health toxicity information for GenX that will provide a scientific basis for states and communities to set or refine public health goals." To read that letter, click here.

This letter followed Rep. Hudson's questioning of Administrator Pruitt at a Subcommittee on Environment hearing on December 7, 2017. To watch those questions, click here.