States across the country continue advancing bipartisan policies that increase transparency, reduce toxic chemicals and plastic pollution, accelerate safer solutions, and hold polluters accountable. Here’s what the first half of 2026 tells us.
More than halfway through 2026, one trend is clear: states continue to lead the nation in protecting people and communities from toxic chemicals and plastic pollution.
Across the country, legislators from both parties are responding to growing public demand for healthier products and processes, cleaner communities, and greater accountability. They are advancing a range of policy approaches that work together to protect health, from improving access to information about toxic chemicals to banning harmful chemicals to accelerating healthier solutions and holding polluters accountable.
So far in 2026, 12 states have adopted 25 policies to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals by requiring transparency, while lawmakers introduced hundreds of additional proposals.
The pace of action demonstrates that protecting health remains a growing bipartisan priority in state legislators across the country.
How States are Protecting Health
1) Increase transparency about toxic chemicals
Good decisions start with good information. States continued to expand the public’s right to know about toxic chemicals in products and materials.
New Jersey required disclosure of PFAS in firefighter gear and Vermont adopted testing requirements for toxic metals in baby food. New Mexico finalized first-in-the-nation labeling requirements for all products containing PFAS, thanks to leadership from Amigos Bravos, a non-profit water conservation organization based in New Mexico. In Washington State, manufacturers submitted new information about PFAS in consumer products through their Safer Products for Washington program.
These actions help consumers, families, businesses, workers, and policymakers make better decisions while laying the groundwork for stronger health protections.
2) Reduce toxic chemicals and plastics pollution
States have continued taking action to help prevent toxic chemicals and plastics from reaching people and communities by addressing them at their source.
Firefighter exposure to toxic PFAS chemicals and contamination from firefighting foam containing PFAS remains a top concern. Arizona banned PFAS in firefighting foam, while New Jersey prohibited PFAS in firefighting gear to better protect firefighters from unnecessary exposure.
Several other states such as Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, and Vermont strengthened health protections covering cosmetics, baby food, and/or other products.
Meanwhile, Massachusetts joined California and North Carolina in restricting DEHP, a toxic chemical linked to breast, liver, lung, and testicular cancer, from the IV bags and tubing used to treat patients.
In New Jersey, advocacy by Clean Water Action and other allies led to the adoption of the nation’s strongest “Skip the Stuff” law, requiring reusable foodware as well as a broad package of restrictions on PFAS in consumer products.
Meanwhile, in Alaska, thanks to strong advocacy by Alaska Community Action on Toxics and local communities and Tribal leaders, lawmakers approved legislation to phase out polystyrene food containers before the measure was ultimately vetoed by the governor.
Together these policies reduce future exposure while creating stronger incentives for healthier products, processes, and materials.
3) Accelerate healthier solutions
Protecting health also means making healthier products, processes, and materials easier to develop and adopt.
Washington State continues implementing its Safer Products for Washington program by evaluating safer alternatives across multiple product categories. Proposed regulatory actions are expected later this year with Toxic-Free Future playing a leading role in this process.
California policymakers responded to community concerns and listed microplastics as a priority chemical under its Safer Consumer Products law. This decision could help drive safer solutions for products such as textiles, cosmetics, and packaging.
4) Hold polluters accountable
States also continued addressing toxic pollution that already exists.
Maryland restricted the spreading of PFAS-contaminated sludge. Maine expanded PFAS blood testing and strengthened management of firefighting foam containing PFAS.
Accountability also remained a priority. New York became the latest state to sue major chemical companies for contributing to PFAS pollution through their use of consumer products. As of July 2026, 33 state Attorneys General from across political parties have initiated litigation.
Protecting health continues to unite lawmakers
Health protections continue to earn bipartisan support across the country.
Arizona’s firefighting foam restrictions were adopted by a conservative legislature, while Alaska’s lawmakers overwhelmingly approved legislation addressing polystyrene food containers. In Indiana, a bipartisan coalition successfully defeated a policy that would have weakened future PFAS protections.
Meanwhile, Wisconsin’s Natural Resources Board unanimously voted to adopt drinking water standards based on the Biden-era federal PFAS limits, and Governor Tony Evers later approved the rule.
Whether protecting drinking water, reducing cancer risks for firefighters or ensuring safer products for children, lawmakers from both parties continue to find common ground around practical policies that protect health.
The momentum continues
Even as Congress considers weakening the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) starts rolling back PFAS in drinking water protections, states continue moving forward.
The first half of 2026 shows that state leaders are building momentum for healthier solutions. State leadership is advancing innovative policies, defending existing protections, and working alongside communities, businesses, researchers, and advocates to protect health. With proposals still moving and implementation work ahead, states will remain at the forefront of protecting health, advancing safer solutions, and holding polluters accountable.
