News & Insights

Today, the Environmental Protection Agency announced plans to roll back critical drinking water standards for certain PFAS “forever” chemicals, reversing national protections put in place just last year to limit contamination from these toxic chemicals. EPA will rescind and reconsider maximum contamination limits (MCLs) for PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (commonly known as GenX), and PFBS, and will delay implementation of standards for PFOA and PFOS.

For years, the packaging used to hold our food—like wrappers, containers, and boxes —has been a hidden source of harmful endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). These toxic substances can interfere with our hormones and contribute to serious health problems, including cancer, infertility, and developmental issues. But that’s starting to change. Thanks to bold state leadership, corporate action, […]

Anticipated 2025 state actions will also focus on toxic chemicals in cosmetics and plastics At least 32 states will likely consider more than 340 policies addressing toxic chemicals and plastics, with policies that both prevent and manage harm to public health PORTLAND, OR⸺Today, Safer States released its 2025 Analysis of State Legislation Addressing Toxic Chemicals […]

Happy New Year! Starting January 1, 2025, several state policies targeting PFAS “forever chemicals” went into effect, marking a major milestone in protecting public health and helping transform the national marketplace. These policies will restrict PFAS and other chemicals of concern in everyday products, demonstrating how states are leading the way to reduce toxic exposure […]

As we approach the midyear, many state legislative sessions have concluded or are winding down. As of today, 12 states have adopted at least 20 policies that aim to transform our economic system into one that protects communities and creates incentives for industry to develop safer chemicals and materials. We anticipate this momentum to continue […]

Adopted with unanimous support, Vermont’s new law is the first in the nation to restrict phthalates, formaldehyde, mercury, and lead among other chemicals in menstrual products  Health advocates applaud the move and anticipate more government and corporate policies to follow WASHINGTON, DC⸺Today, Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed into law the first-ever ban on phthalates, formaldehyde, […]

Policies to protect Mainers from toxic PFAS chemicals remain strong Maine, a leading state in efforts to address the “forever chemical” crisis, recently adopted revisions to its groundbreaking law that banned PFAS chemicals in consumer products by 2030. Maine originally adopted the law in 2021 in response to Mainers demanding solutions to the PFAS crisis […]

The rule will make it easier to hold polluters accountable for cleaning up their toxic contamination Safer States and Toxic-Free Future applaud this important step while urging EPA to take the next step and list all PFAS as hazardous under Superfund WASHINGTON, DC⸺Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule to designate […]

The commitment follows states such as Michigan, Colorado, Washington that are restricting the purchase of PFAS-containing products  Safer States applauds the move and urges similar actions for other product categories like building materials PORTLAND, OR⸺Earlier this week, the Biden-Harris Administration announced it is directing government contractors to purchase cleaning products for federal buildings that are […]

Commitment comes after years of PFAS action by states and leading retailers nationwide  Safer States and Toxic-Free Future applaud EPA’s record low drinking water standards WASHINGTON, DC⸺Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced final drinking water standards for six individual PFAS “forever chemicals” including PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA (GenX), and PFBS. This is […]