California

States Leading The Way

California, the most populous state in the US with one of the world’s largest economies, has been a leading force in tackling toxic chemicals. With key leadership from California Clean Water Action, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, National Resources Defense Council, and others the state has adopted broad restrictions on toxic chemicals and key disclosure laws for cleaning ingredients, personal care products, and more.

Addressing PFAS is a current California priority because it has been detected in the drinking water of at least 16 million Californians, and PFAS levels in San Francisco Bay wildlife put anglers at risk. Environmental health disparities affect low-income communities and communities of color, including those served by private wells or small disadvantaged water systems, and subsistence fishers. Despite the challenges, leaders in California have made significant progress in protecting public and environmental health through innovative policies. Given the size of its economy, any policy actions taken by California have significant national ripple effects.

California Highlights

2020-2023 – Over the last few years California has banned all PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam, cosmetics, most textiles, paper-based food packaging and juvenile products, and set limits on PFAS in products labeled recyclable and compostable.
2022 – Attorney General Rob Bonta sued PFAS manufacturers for endangering public health and contaminating the environment.
2020 – Adopted policy requiring the disclosure of toxic chemicals in personal care products.
2018 – Eliminated toxic flame retardant chemicals in furniture and other products. Given California’s market influence, this reduced exposure not only for Californians but for everyone nationwide.

Assemblymember Phil Ting Receives PFAS Leadership Award

Clean Water Action Legislative and Policy Director Andria Ventura presented Assemblymember Phil Ting an award for his leadership in addressing toxic PFAS chemicals in consumer products.

California Advocates Speak Out Against PFAS in McDonald's Packaging

Advocates in California participated in the national campaign urging McDonald’s to ban PFAS “forever chemicals.” In early 2021, following a nationwide campaign and state regulatory actions, McDonald’s announced a global ban on PFAS in its food packaging.

BCPP and Other NGOs at Congressional Hearing

In 2018, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners partnered up with Black Women for Wellness and Silent Spring Institute to lead a congressional hearing on the connection between breast cancer and the environment.

Press Conference for Skip-the-Slip Bill

Assemblymember Phil Ting (center podium), Chloe Brown from Californians Against Waste (left of podium), and Nancy Buermeyer from Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (right of podium) at a press conference for AB 1347, a bill that would reduce waste from paper receipts and limit exposure to toxic chemicals such as bisphenols.