PFAS and Drinking Water Roundtables with the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus (GLLC)

The AAAS EPI Center and the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus (GLLC) hosted a series of virtual roundtable discussions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and drinking water. The two-part series was open to legislators and legislative staff and consisted of a background information session to prepare for a second session exploring policy options for addressing this widespread problem that affects drinking water in the Great Lakes region. Each session was 90 minutes and included a panel discussion with experts, a robust Q&A period, and opportunity for discussion.

The first session — “Information Overview” — covered important background information on PFAS, including a summary of the scientific evidence related to PFAS and drinking water and community case examples. The concluding session — “Opportunities and Challenges for Addressing PFAS in Drinking Water and Risk Communication”— builds on the informational sessions, providing an opportunity to discuss policy options for addressing PFAS and drinking water and ideas for communicating with constituents and other stakeholders. 

Information Overviews

Wednesday, December 2, 2020 from 1:00-2:30 pm Eastern Time

or

Friday, December 4, 2020 from 3:00-4:30 pm Eastern Time

In this virtual roundtable, the AAAS EPI Center and the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus (GLLC)  hosted a discussion on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and drinking water for GLLC members. This roundtable

• provided a high-level overview of the scientific evidence related to PFAS and drinking water;
• connected decision-makers with scientific experts, as well as other colleagues addressing these issues, who helped inform how to engage with constituents and incorporate scientific information into their decision-making; and
• identified opportunities and challenges communities are facing from drinking water contamination.

Our distinguished panel includes:

• Dr. Laurel Schaider, Research Scientist, Silent Spring Institute
• Dr. Phil Brown, Distinguished Professor, Northeastern University
• Shaun Mulholland, City Manager, Lebanon, NH
• Hon. Wendy Thomas, Former New Hampshire State Representative (Hillsborough County, District 21), Merrimack, NH
   

Watch the introductory session below.

Opportunities and Challenges to Addressing PFAS in Drinking Water

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 from 1:00-2:30 pm Eastern Time

This was the final virtual roundtable discussion hosted by the AAAS EPI Center and the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus (GLLC) on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and drinking water. This roundtable 

• built on the informational overview session and insights gained from those discussions to probe options for addressing risks posed by PFAS contaminated drinking water, including prioritizing disproportionate impacts for action;
• discussed and shared stories of the necessity for engaging community stakeholders in working constructively together to address PFAS; and
• determined additional information that could support further deliberations and decision making to reduce if not eliminate the risks posed by PFAS.

Our distinguished panel includes:

• Steve Sliver, Executive Director, Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART)
• Dr. Cheryl Murphy, Director of Center for PFAS Research, Michigan State University
• Dr. Jeffrey Warren, Executive Director, North Carolina Policy Collaboratory
   

Watch the final session below.