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Health advocates respond to FDA’s latest announcement on PFAS in food packaging

Bans of PFAS in food packaging are the result of state laws and corporate actions Health advocates agree that FDA’s announcement is a step forward but more must be done to protect public health SEATTLE, WA—The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday announced progress on a voluntary agreement from 2020 with PFAS manufacturers to end sales of […]
2024 Analysis Press Release featured image
Safer States’ 2024 analysis of anticipated state legislation addressing toxic chemicals and plastics across the country suggests that PFAS “forever chemicals” could be banned in more uses than ever in 2024 state bills. At least 36 states will consider more than 450 bills on toxic chemical and plastics related policies. The analysis further finds that banning “forever chemicals'' will continue to dominate in 2024, with at least 35 states introducing policies. Other significant legislation anticipated for 2024 will address toxic plastics, safe drinking water, and hazardous chemicals in cosmetics and personal care products.
Safer States 2024 Analysis
Read the full analysis Safer States published 2024 Analysis of State Legislation Addressing Toxic Chemicals and Plastics on February 8, 2024. Overall, at least 36 states will consider more than 450 bills on toxic chemical and plastics related policies. The analysis further finds that banning “forever chemicals” will continue to dominate in 2024, with at […]
This year alone, 13 AGs initiated lawsuits against “forever chemicals”—totaling 27 AGs taking action to date Safer States applauds Attorneys Generals’ actions to hold polluters accountable and secure resources to help clean up communities PORTLAND, OR—The Attorney General of South Carolina recently became the 26th in the nation to initiate action against PFAS manufacturers for contamination of […]

As most states have now wrapped up their legislative sessions, we’ve found that states across the nation have adopted a range of innovative policies to combat toxic chemicals and incentivize the adoption of safer solutions.  So far this year, 17 states have adopted at least 35 policies that help transform our economic system to better protect communities and create incentives for industry to develop safer chemicals and materials. 

Outdoor athletic retailer Dick’s Sporting Goods quietly announced it will ban PFAS "forever chemicals"in its own-brand textile products. This action was part of a major update to its Restricted Substance List (RSL) created in March. The company is one of the largest sporting retailers in the nation, operating more than 850 stores and, as of 2022, earning $12.37 billion in sales.

PORTLAND, OR⸺Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed into law the first-ever ban in the U.S. on PFAS “forever chemicals” in cookware, dental floss, and menstrual products as part of the broadest PFAS policy package in the country. The new law bans all uses of PFAS in products by 2032—except those that are necessary for public health, requires manufacturers to report their use of PFAS in products to the state by 2026, and bans specific uses in several products starting in 2025.

Today, the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (HB 1047)—sponsored by Washington State Representative Sharlett Mena (29th Legislative District)—was signed by Governor Inslee, making it the strongest law in the nation regulating cosmetics and personal care products.

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced drinking water standards for six individual PFAS “forever chemicals” including PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA (GenX), and PFBS.  This is the first time that drinking water standards have been proposed for a new chemical under the Safe Drinking Water Act since it was updated in 1996.

Yesterday, leading outdoor retailer REI announced it will ban PFAS "forever chemicals" in all textile products and cookware from its suppliers, in a major update to its “Product Impact Standards” for its 1,000+ brand partners. REI’s new policy commitment comes more than a year after the launch of the nationwide marketplace campaign, REI, time to “opt-out” of PFAS, led by the Mind the Store program of Toxic-Free Future in partnership with Safer States and other organizations. REI’s announcement also comes after numerous states have taken regulatory action on PFAS in apparel and cookware.

 

On February 3, 2023, a train carrying hazardous chemicals, including toxic vinyl chloride, derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. Vinyl chloride is a deadly toxic chemical used to create polyvinyl chloride (PVC), one of the most widely produced plastics in the world used to make flooring, pipes, and packaging.

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