Examining the Emergence of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances as a Federal Policy Topic

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), colloquially referred to as “forever chemicals”, include approximately 15,000 chemicals. These chemicals have applications in commercial, household, and industrial settings, and have been detected nearly everywhere on earth. While data about PFAS’ environmental persistence and human health risks came to the attention of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency around the turn of the century, protective policies regarding PFAS use and acceptable exposure levels has been slow to evolve. Using John J. Kingdon’s multiple streams framework as a theoretical lens, this study reviewed Congressional bills and surveyed policy community stakeholders to analyze the factors important in PFAS’ emergence as a policy agenda topic. We found that support from policy entrepreneurs as information brokers was crucial in advancing policy, whether inside or outside of government. Additionally, attorneys, scientists, and community organizers were identified as key individuals in defining PFAS as a problem and raising awareness on a larger scale. These findings contribute to better understanding how environmental topics such as emerging contaminants, where there is a period of information gathering necessary to inform policy development, may successfully rise as agenda topics.

Author

• Dobry, Charlotte

• per and polyfluroalkyl substance
• multiple streams theory
• PFAS
• Multiple streams frameworks
• public policy
• policy enterpreneurs

Identifier

hdl:1920/14286

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:MARS:1920/14286