Maryland

States Leading The Way

With leadership from Maryland PIRG, Maryland has adopted policies reducing exposure to toxic chemicals. Taking proactive measures, the state has restricted the use of toxic chemicals including toxic flame retardants, Bisphenol A, PFAS, and more. Notably, Maryland is home to some of the nation’s leading health experts at NIH and academic institutions. Situated near the nation’s capital, the state continues to play a key role in informing the national discourse on public health issues.

Maryland Highlights

2023 – Attorney General Anthony G. Brown filed a lawsuit suit against PFAS manufacturers for harming public health and the environment.
2022 – Adopted the George “Walter” Taylor Act restricting the use of PFAS chemicals in food packaging, rugs and carpets, and replace PFAS-laden firefighting foam with safer alternatives.
2021 – Banned certain PFAS chemicals in cosmetics and adopted the Safe School Drinking Water Act which requires testing and remediation for lead in school drinking water.
2020 – Adopted the Family and Firefighter Protection Act banning the use of toxic flame retardant chemicals in upholstered furniture, children’s products, and mattress foam.

Maryland PIRG Canvassing to Stop Toxic PFAS

Maryland PIRG staff knocked on doors in the spring of 2023 for a campaign to clean up PFAS contamination in Maryland and hold the chemical industry accountable.

George "Walter" Taylor: A Firefighter Who Inspired PFAS Protection Legislation

George “Walter” Taylor was a firefighter for 31 years who died from occupational health cancers linked to PFAS exposure. A Maryland state bill was named after him to protect firefighters and families from PFAS chemicals. The bill was adopted in 2022.

Bill Signing Ceremony for the George 'Walter' Taylor Firefighter Protection Act

Governor Larry Hogan is joined by the Taylor family, bill authors Delegate Sara Love and Senator Sarah Elfreth, advocates, and first responders as he signs the George “Walter” Taylor Act into law.