Viewing blog posts tagged with 'states'

New analysis: PFAS “forever chemical” policies will dominate in states nationwide in 2023

February 06, 2023

Press Statement

Today, Safer States released its 2023 analysis of anticipated toxic chemical related policies across the country, finding that PFAS “forever chemical” policies will, again, dominate policy agendas in states nationwide–with at least 28 states expected to consider PFAS-related policy. Addressing plastic pollution and toxic chemicals in cosmetics are also expected to be key focus areas for many state policies in 2023. Altogether, at least 31 states will consider approximately 260 bills on toxic chemical policies in 2023.

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Safer States 2023 Multistate Analysis Cover Page

2023 Analysis of State Legislation Addressing Toxic Chemicals and Materials

February 06, 2023

Safer States published 2023 Analysis of State Legislation Addressing Toxic Chemicals and Materials on February 6, 2023 which analyzed state-level policies driving toward safer chemicals and materials and healthier communities, finding that at least 30 states will consider policies in 2023. Safer States anticipates that at least 260 policies will be under consideration in 2023 with PFAS, plastics and cosmetics being the most relevant issues.

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Safer States 2023 Multistate Analysis Cover Page2

New York ended the year 2022 on a high note by banning toxic PFAS chemicals in apparel and carpets

January 06, 2023

Just before the new year, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law a bill restricting the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, in apparel. The bill will eliminate the use of PFAS in apparel by Dec. 31, 2023. Governor Hochul also signed a bill banning PFAS in carpets as part of a mandate requiring manufacturers to implement a carpet collection program.  

 

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apparel

A look back on 2022: states led the way on protecting public health from toxic chemicals

December 16, 2022

Eduardo Valenzuela

The year 2022 was a pivotal year where numerous states took significant action to safeguard human and environmental health from toxic chemicals and pushed toward a system based on safer chemicals and materials. Given the urgency of the PFAS chemical crisis contaminating drinking water across the country, states drove an ambitious agenda, pushing for class-based restriction of toxic chemicals, transparency about what chemicals are in what products, holding polluters accountable, preventing false solutions, and investing in cleanup.

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2022 2023

PFAS crisis sparks bipartisan momentum

November 17, 2022

Eduardo Valenzuela

There is reason to hope that we can see beyond the political divisions that were evident on election day 2022 and work together to address common threats. One issue, in particular, has consistently drawn bipartisan attention from state legislators across the country — the need to address toxic PFAS chemicals that are contaminating communities and drinking water.

 

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drinking water

California Governor signs first-in-nation ban on PFAS “forever chemicals” in textiles

September 30, 2022

Press Statement

PORTLAND, OR—Yesterday, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a first in the nation groundbreaking bill (AB 1817) that explicitly bans the use of PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also known as “forever chemicals,” in many textiles. 

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Mid-year review: states lead the way on toxic chemical policies

July 11, 2022

Sarah Doll

Most states have now finished their legislative sessions and, as Safer States’ analysis predicted earlier this year, there has been significant action on toxic chemicals in state policies across the country, especially ones focused on PFAS “forever chemicals”So far this year, bipartisan majorities in 13 states have adopted at least 22 policies that will help transform our economic system to be one that better protects communities and creates incentives for industry to develop safer chemicals.

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CO signing ceremony 2022

Rhode Island Governor Signs into Law Notable Ban on Toxic PFAS Chemicals in Food Packaging

July 08, 2022

Press Statement

On Tuesday, July 5, Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee signed into law a policy that bans toxic chemicals known as PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in all types of food packaging by 2024. In addition to becoming the 11th state to ban PFAS from food packaging, this policy requires food packaging solutions to be less hazardous and targets PFAS chemicals used in the production of food packaging, not just the food packaging material itself. Rhode Island’s policy will also restrict PFAS and heavy metals in recycled content food packaging starting in July 2027. 

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Illinois Governor Signs into Law First-Ever Statewide Ban of PFAS Incineration

June 30, 2022

Press Statement

On Wednesday, June 8, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed into law a first-in-the-nation policy that prohibits the disposal by incineration of PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) that are listed in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Toxic Release Inventory. This includes, but is not strictly limited to, PFAS substances that are often found in aqueous film-forming foam, otherwise known as firefighting foam. In 2020, New York adopted a similar law that banned the incineration of PFAS-containing firefighting foams at a specific facility, but Illinois is the first to issue a statewide ban on incinerating certain PFAS. 

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Washington state releases final report for landmark law that protects people and wildlife from toxic chemicals in products

June 08, 2022

Press Statement

On Monday, the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) released its final report, as part of its Safer Products for Washington law, formalizing its plan to undertake the most significant restriction of toxic chemicals in products ever by a state. Ecology intends to ban four classes of harmful chemicals in 10 product categories. 

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