Press Statements

On Wednesday, Maine Governor Janet Mills signed into law a bipartisan bill, LD 1911, that is the first in the nation to ban the spreading of sludge and sludge-derived compost as fertilizer. Sludge has been the source of widespread contamination from PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), known as “forever chemicals,” forcing family farms to shut down and poisoning drinking water wells of entire communities. The law bans the use of sludge as a soil amendment. 

Today, Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed the first-ever state law (S. 113) that gives individuals the right to seek medical monitoring of diseases linked to toxic chemical exposures from corporate polluters. It would also allow the State of Vermont to sue the companies that make dangerous chemicals for the harm they cause to Vermont’s air, land, water, and public facilities. The law makes Vermont the first state in the nation to place in statute the responsibility of corporate polluters, instead of victims, to pay for medical monitoring for diseases linked to toxic chemical exposure.

Today, NRDC, Fashion FWD, and U.S. PIRG Education Fund released a scorecard ranking PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) policy commitments from 30 popular retail and apparel brands, giving REI a failing ‘F’ grade for its incomplete commitment that excluded many PFAS (also known as “forever chemicals”). Conversely, competitor Patagonia earned a ‘B’—the highest grade of all the outdoor apparel brands surveyed—and is the only outdoor brand with a commitment to phase out all PFAS in all products by 2024.

 

New law makes Washington the first state in the nation to tackle PFAS in broad range of products such as apparel, cosmetics, and firefighter gear by 2025 OLYMPIA, WA—Today, Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed a bill (HB 1694) into law that will tackle PFAS “forever chemicals” in a broad range of products on the fastest timeline in the nation, […]

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.

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.

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.

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.

  Health advocates say bolder action is needed to prevent PFAS pollution to protect people and the environment from dangerous “forever chemicals” WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S.  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its roadmap on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), a class of toxic chemicals known to cause harm to people and the environment. […]

California today passed new precedent-setting laws that require accurate labeling for products and regulate toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” as a class. The three bills signed today by Governor Gavin Newsom ensure truth in advertising through labeling requirements in products claiming to be recyclable; in compostable products; and in cookware, respectively. A fourth bill was also signed that regulates toxic chemicals in juvenile products. All four bills notably address toxic PFAS chemicals as a class, a longstanding recommendation by science experts, health care professionals, and advocates alike.