BETHLEHEM, PA – October 22, 2026 – Legislation authored by Senator Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton) and Senator Jarrett Coleman (R-Lehigh) to phase out harmful chemicals in intravenous (IV) bags and other medical devices has received final approval from the Pennsylvania General Assembly and now heads to Governor Josh Shapiro for his signature.
Senate Bill 804 passed the House of Representatives unanimously, 203-0, before the Senate concurred in House amendments by a vote of 49-1. The final legislation also includes provisions from Senate Bill 980, sponsored by Senators Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) and Nick Miller (D-Lehigh), to restrict the use of toxic PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam.
“You go to the doctor to get better, not get sicker,” Boscola said. “This legislation has always been about protecting patients, particularly our most vulnerable, from unnecessary exposure to harmful chemicals. With the addition of protections for our firefighters, we are taking another important step toward making Pennsylvania a safer and healthier place. I’m proud that Republicans and Democrats in both chambers came together to support this effort.”
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a common additive used in plastic medical devices to increase flexibility and reduce brittleness. However, research has shown that DEHP can leach into the fluids delivered to patients, raising particular concerns for premature infants in neonatal intensive care units and individuals undergoing cancer treatment.
“Pennsylvanians shouldn’t be exposed to avoidable chemical risks, whether they’re a patient in a hospital bed or a firefighter responding to an emergency,” Coleman said. “Senate Bill 804 removes DEHP from the IV bags and tubing that deliver life-saving care, and with the PFAS protections added by the House, it also helps keep harmful chemicals away from the men and women who protect our communities.”
Senate Bill 804 establishes a timeline to phase out DEHP in IV bags beginning in 2030 and IV tubing by 2035.
“We are proud that Pennsylvania, B. Braun’s home state, has joined the growing list of states that have passed legislation protecting patients from exposure to toxic substances when receiving IV therapy,” said Michael Parden, Chief Executive Officer, B. Braun of America. “We are grateful to Senator Lisa Boscola for her leadership in championing this bipartisan legislation, and to Senators Nick Miller and Jarrett Coleman, Representative Bridget Kosierowski and the many cosponsors in the Pennsylvania Senate and House who helped make this important patient safety measure a reality.”
“St. Luke’s does not use IV solution containers that contain PVC or DEHP and we support Senator Lisa Boscola and Senator Coleman’s efforts to make sure all patients across the Commonwealth are similarly protected from these harmful forever chemicals,” said Dr. Jeffrey Jahre, Senior Vice President Medical and Academic Affairs, St. Luke’s University Health Network.
The House amendments also incorporate provisions of Senate Bill 980 addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” found in certain firefighting foams and protective equipment.
“Compared to other emergency responders, firefighters can face significantly higher levels of PFAS exposure, putting them on the front lines of this national public health challenge,” Yaw said. “This is a commonsense response which has already been adopted by many states. It will undoubtedly protect firefighters moving forward, while also safeguarding our ground and surface water from contamination.”
These provisions establish a phased prohibition on the manufacture, sale, distribution and use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam. The legislation also requires disclosure of PFAS in firefighter protective equipment and expands financial assistance available to fire companies to help cover the costs of transitioning to safer alternatives and properly disposing of existing foam.
“This bipartisan legislation will protect our first responders and drinking water by phasing out dangerous PFAS while providing fire companies with financial assistance to transition to safer alternatives and properly dispose of existing foam,” said Senator Miller. “We have a responsibility to protect those who protect us.”
“Firefighters run toward danger to protect us. They shouldn’t be exposed to cancer-linked chemicals in the very foam they use to do that job. Safer, PFAS-free alternatives are already available, which makes Senate Bill 804 a commonsense step to protect our first responders and keep forever chemicals out of Pennsylvania’s drinking water. I want to thank Senator Lisa Boscola, Senator Nick Miller, Senator Jarrett Coleman and Senator Gene Yaw for their leadership in getting this done. A 252-1 vote shows this isn’t a partisan issue. I look forward to Governor Shapiro signing it into law,” said Bob Brooks, President of the Professional Fire Fighters Association.
“This is a crucial step toward protecting drinking water across the commonwealth from toxic PFAS,” added Stephanie Wein, clean water and conservation advocate at PennEnvironment. “Our firefighters take risks every day to save lives and we owe it to them to reduce the risk posed by PFAS chemicals in the line of duty. The broad support this bill received is evidence of the bipartisan commitment to stemming the toxic tide of PFAS.”
“This is what bipartisan cooperation should look like,” Boscola said. “We started with a commonsense proposal to protect patients from harmful chemicals in medical equipment, and we are sending the Governor legislation that also protects the men and women who risk their lives to keep our communities safe. I’m grateful to Senator Coleman, Senator Miller, Senator Yaw, our colleagues in the House, and the firefighters and healthcare professionals who helped make this possible.”
Senate Bill 804 now awaits Governor Shapiro’s signature.
CONTACT:
Joseph Kelly (Boscola)
(610) 868-8667
Leo Knepper (Coleman)
(717) 787-1349
Taylor Brown (Miller)
(610) 821-8468
Elizabeth Weitzel (Yaw)
(717) 787-3280