Khan Introduces Bill to Ban PFAS in Pesticides as Chemicals Found in 96% of PA Waterways Tested
Legislation follows Wissahickon Creek fish advisory and federal approval of additional pesticides identified as PFAS
Philadelphia House Delegation October 28, 2026 | 11:02 AM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 28 — State Rep. Tarik Khan and colleagues have introduced H.B. 2883 to ban PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals,” in pesticides, alongside a coalition of lawmakers.
The legislation follows a PennEnvironment report finding perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in 96% of 88 Pennsylvania waterways tested and a state “Do Not Eat” advisory for fish caught in the Wissahickon Creek basin due to perfluorooctane sulfonate, or PFOS, contamination.
“It’s incredibly sad that we can’t even eat the fish in the Wissahickon because they’re contaminated with toxic forever chemicals,” said Khan, D-Phila. “As a nurse, I know these chemicals can harm our health, affect children’s development and even pass from mothers to their unborn babies. And these waterways ultimately feed into the rivers we rely on for drinking water. We need to stop PFAS pollution at its source so our families and future generations have clean water that’s safe to drink and fish in.”
PFAS are persistent chemicals linked to certain cancers, immune system problems and reproductive health risks. House Bill 2883 would prohibit the sale and use of pesticides containing PFAS when safer alternatives are available, helping prevent further contamination of Pennsylvania’s soil and waterways.
The legislation comes as the Trump administration’s Environmental Protection Agency has approved five pesticides that environmental scientists identify as PFAS, including three approved in July, according to the Environmental Working Group. The EPA disputes their classification as PFAS.
The legislation is part of a broader effort to address PFAS contamination in Pennsylvania. Last week, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed legislation banning PFAS-containing firefighting foam and requiring manufacturers to disclose when firefighting protective gear contains these chemicals.
Khan is also a co-prime sponsor of H.B. 2145, introduced by Rep. Greg Scott, D-Montgomery, which passed the House with bipartisan support and awaits Senate action. That legislation would ban PFAS in certain consumer products, including cosmetics, dental floss, menstrual products and products used by infants and children.
“PFAS are pervasive in our environment and while strides have been made to protect Pennsylvanians, like the recent passage of legislation to prohibit PFAS in firefighting foam, we need to continue tackling other frontiers of exposure that further threaten our environment and health,” said Steve Hvozdovich, Pennsylvania campaigns director for Clean Water Action. “The US Environmental Protection Agency’s actions this summer to approve the use of new PFAS pesticides makes this an area that requires states’ attention in order to protect our food chain supply, soil, and water from contamination by these toxic chemicals, and Rep. Khan’s H.B. 2883 is Pennsylvania’s response that we’re ready to meet this challenge.”
“The research showing the health threats posed by PFAS chemicals seems to grow every day,” said David Masur, executive director of PennEnvironment. “Preventing these chemicals from getting into our environment in the first place is the best and most effective way to protect the public’s health. That’s why PennEnvironment applauds Rep. Khan’s leadership on this issue and his introduction of H.B. 2883 to ban PFAS in pesticides. His knowledge as a health professional makes him the perfect leader on a policy like this.”
House Bill 2883 was introduced with the support of 26 fellow lawmakers, including Scott and Reps. Emily Kinkead, Bob Merski, Mary Isaacson, Pat Harkins, Brian Munroe, Mandy Steele and Joe Hohenstein.
“Pennsylvanians deserve clean air, clean water and food that is safe to eat,” Khan said. “Our health must come before corporate profits.”