On February 5, 2025, Safer States released its 2025 Analysis of State Legislation Addressing Toxic Chemicals and Plastics. The report communicates that at least 32 states in the United States will likely consider more than 340 policies related to toxic chemicals and plastics in 2025. With the high economic cost of cleaning up toxic contamination, the analysis found that states are focused more on prevention-based policies than remediation.
Other key findings of the report included that:
- At least 29 states will likely consider policies to limit or eliminate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
- At least 17 states and the District of Columbia will likely consider policies to address plastics and packaging, including limiting their use and eliminating plastics made with hazardous chemicals
- At least 15 states will likely consider policies that limit or eliminate hazardous chemical ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products
- At least 15 states will likely consider policies concerning the disclosure and restriction of chemicals in consumer products
The analysis used the policy tracking software Quorum to find policies that have been introduced into state legislatures. It also incorporated information about policies that are expected to be introduced in 2025 from state-based advocates. Safer States has been tracking and analyzing action in the United States on toxic chemicals and pollution since 2010 (FPF reported and here).
References
Safer States (February 5, 2025) “2025 Analysis of State Policy Addressing Toxic Chemicals and Plastics.”
Read more
Safer States (February 5, 2025) “PFAS “forever chemical” policies expected to be more expansive in states this year, new analysis finds.”
