News & Insights

Adopted with unanimous support, Vermont’s new law is the first in the nation to restrict phthalates, formaldehyde, mercury, and lead among other chemicals in menstrual products  Health advocates applaud the move and anticipate more government and corporate policies to follow WASHINGTON, DC⸺Today, Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed into law the first-ever ban on phthalates, formaldehyde, […]

Policies to protect Mainers from toxic PFAS chemicals remain strong Maine, a leading state in efforts to address the “forever chemical” crisis, recently adopted revisions to its groundbreaking law that banned PFAS chemicals in consumer products by 2030. Maine originally adopted the law in 2021 in response to Mainers demanding solutions to the PFAS crisis […]

The rule will make it easier to hold polluters accountable for cleaning up their toxic contamination Safer States and Toxic-Free Future applaud this important step while urging EPA to take the next step and list all PFAS as hazardous under Superfund WASHINGTON, DC⸺Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule to designate […]

The commitment follows states such as Michigan, Colorado, Washington that are restricting the purchase of PFAS-containing products  Safer States applauds the move and urges similar actions for other product categories like building materials PORTLAND, OR⸺Earlier this week, the Biden-Harris Administration announced it is directing government contractors to purchase cleaning products for federal buildings that are […]

Commitment comes after years of PFAS action by states and leading retailers nationwide  Safer States and Toxic-Free Future applaud EPA’s record low drinking water standards WASHINGTON, DC⸺Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced final drinking water standards for six individual PFAS “forever chemicals” including PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA (GenX), and PFBS. This is […]

Bans of PFAS in food packaging are the result of state laws and corporate actions Health advocates agree that FDA’s announcement is a step forward but more must be done to protect public health SEATTLE, WA—The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday announced progress on a voluntary agreement from 2020 with PFAS manufacturers to end sales of […]

Safer States’ 2024 analysis of anticipated state legislation addressing toxic chemicals and plastics across the country suggests that PFAS “forever chemicals” could be banned in more uses than ever in 2024 state bills. At least 36 states will consider more than 450 bills on toxic chemical and plastics related policies. The analysis further finds that banning “forever chemicals'' will continue to dominate in 2024, with at least 35 states introducing policies. Other significant legislation anticipated for 2024 will address toxic plastics, safe drinking water, and hazardous chemicals in cosmetics and personal care products.

Read the full analysis Safer States published 2024 Analysis of State Legislation Addressing Toxic Chemicals and Plastics on February 8, 2024. Overall, at least 36 states will consider more than 450 bills on toxic chemical and plastics related policies. The analysis further finds that banning “forever chemicals” will continue to dominate in 2024, with at […]

UPDATE: As of April 16, 2024, thirty State Attorneys General have initiated PFAS litigation. This year alone, 13 AGs initiated lawsuits against “forever chemicals”—totaling 27 AGs taking action to date Safer States applauds Attorneys Generals’ actions to hold polluters accountable and secure resources to help clean up communities PORTLAND, OR—The Attorney General of South Carolina recently became […]

As most states have now wrapped up their legislative sessions, we’ve found that states across the nation have adopted a range of innovative policies to combat toxic chemicals and incentivize the adoption of safer solutions.  So far this year, 17 states have adopted at least 35 policies that help transform our economic system to better protect communities and create incentives for industry to develop safer chemicals and materials.