2022 Analysis of State Legislation on PFAS and other Toxic Chemicals

February 03, 2022

Sarah Doll

Safer States analyzed state-level policies on toxic chemical regulation, finding that at least 32 states will consider policies in 2022. Safer States anticipates that at least 210 policies will be under consideration in 2022 and efforts to combat toxic PFAS chemicals will continue to be the most prevalent issue.

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New analysis finds toxic “forever chemicals” regulation and clean-up will significantly drive 2022 state policies on toxic chemicals

February 03, 2022

Press Release

Safer States today released its annual analysis of anticipated state policies across the country on toxic chemical laws, predicting that toxic “forever chemical” regulation and clean-up will significantly drive this year’s state-level policies on toxic chemicals. Similar to 2021, efforts to combat toxic PFAS (poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances) are expected to continue to be the most prevalent issue in state policy across the United States.

 

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2022 Policy Map Final 1.26.2022

U.S. Plastics Pact moves to eliminate certain toxic chemicals and materials in plastic packaging

January 25, 2022

Press Statement

Today, the US Plastic Pact released their list of “problematic and unnecessary” materials to be eliminated in plastic packaging. The pact includes PVC and polystyrene on the list and prompts voluntary elimination by 2025.

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New York Governor Signs First-in-Nation Restrictions on Toxic Flame Retardants

January 03, 2022

Press Statement

On December 31, 2021, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law a groundbreaking bipartisan bill restricting the use of flame retardants in furniture, mattresses, and electronic displays. While several states have passed similar legislation, New York is now the first in the U.S. to also include a prohibition on organohalogen flame retardants (OFRs) in electronic enclosures such as televisions. This new law mirrors a similar prohibition adopted by the European Union.

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A Year in Review: States Continue to Lead on Toxic Chemical Reform

December 21, 2021

Eduardo Valenzuela

What a year! In 2021 states have once again stepped up and created incentives for safer chemistries, materials as well as protections from toxic chemicals. Using PFAS as a way to highlight the problem, states drove a big toxics agenda including pushing for a class-based restriction of toxic chemicals, transparency about what chemicals are in what products, and identification of safer materials and processes. 

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New Year

Toxic Plastic Harms Communities and Ocean Health According to a New National Academies Report

December 13, 2021

Renee Sharp

A new report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine details the serious impacts that plastic is having on the health of our oceans and communities. It underscores the interconnectivity between plastic pollution and toxic chemicals and reinforces the importance of tackling these challenges together. 

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NAS Report

What the federal government should do that states are already doing

December 02, 2021

Sarah Doll

Today, Safer States joined with 35 allies in asking the federal government to follow the states lead and move toward safer, non-toxic materials and products and away from toxic chemicals like PFAS through their purchasing power.

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Power of the purse 1

Bipartisan bill to ban PFAS chemicals in food containers introduced in Congress today

November 18, 2021

Press Statement

Today the bipartisan Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and in the House of Representatives by Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and Don Young (R-Alaska).  The legislation will ban the use of any perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) as a food contact substance.

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Safer States joins Mind the Store in calling on REI to take action on PFAS “forever chemicals”

November 03, 2021

Sarah Doll

Safer States is proud to partner with the Mind the Store campaign to call on REI, a major outdoor apparel retailer, to phase out and ban PFAS “forever chemicals” in all private-label and brand-name products. REI has the power to lead the outdoor apparel industry in a bold phase-out of PFAS from products. 

 

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REI

Michigan Governor commits to limit purchase of products that contain PFAS

October 27, 2021

Press Statement

Today, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive telling the state to “use its purchasing power—an estimated $2.5 billion annually” to buy products that do not contain PFAS chemicals. While other states have product-specific PFAS procurement restrictions, Michigan’s new policy goes further by looking across all purchases by the state. Health advocacy organizations from Michigan and across the nation applaud this move and anticipate more states to take action.

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