In an article on February 5, 2020, the non-governmental organization Safer States presented a summary of current legislative efforts by U.S. state agencies to address chemicals. The organization’s review found that 29 states are planning to consider over 180 policies that would “require companies to disclose what is in their products as well as limit exposures to toxic chemicals.” Overall, 26 states were found to have already introduced legislation to limit the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and 13 states are planning to consider eliminating or lowering the use of PFAS in food packaging in 2020. Other proposed legislation that will be considered in the coming year focuses on setting PFAS levels for drinking water, restricting PFAS use in firefighting foam, banning the use of flame retardants in furniture and children’s products, and requiring manufacturers to disclose their use of specific chemicals of concern.
“States are at the forefront of creating community health protections from toxic threats like forever PFAS chemicals and this year is no different” commented Sarah Doll, the National Director of Safer States. “The news about widespread PFAS contamination, chemicals in plastics and flame retardants in electronics have spurred legislators to take broader action for the sake of public and environmental health.” Safer States maintains and freely provides an online database and map of developing chemicals legislation by state. Most recently, the state of Wisconsin announced that it has launched a PFAS Action Council to address PFAS contamination in the state. In a first phase, it will collect input from stakeholders, and an online survey has been launched to collect feedback until February 21, 2020.
Read More
Gretchen Salter (February 5, 2020). “State Legislatures Take the Lead on Turning off Tap on Toxic Chemicals.” Safer States
Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families (February 5, 2020). “State legislatures take the lead on turning off tap on toxic chemicals.”
Amanda Ulrich (February 6, 2020). “NGO: PFASs, flame retardants to dominate US state chemical legislation.” Chemical Watch
Chemical Watch (February 5, 2020). “Wisconsin PFAS taskforce to develop action plan.”
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (February 4, 2020). “Wisconsin PFAS Action Council (WisPAC) Developing PFAS Action Plan For State.”
Keller and Heckman LLP (March 23, 2020). “Attack on PFASs Extends to Food Packaging.”
