Viewing blog posts tagged with 'states'
More than half of US State Attorneys General have taken action against PFAS manufacturers and key users
August 24, 2023
The Attorney General of South Carolina recently became the 26th in the nation to initiate action against PFAS manufacturers for contamination of the environment and harming public health. This year alone, a bipartisan group of Attorneys General (AGs) from 12 states and the District of Columbia have filed litigation against chemical manufacturers over PFAS substances including Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington. And, more than a dozen other AGs have announced cases in prior years, bringing the total number of AGs taking action against PFAS to 27 to date.
States Taking the Lead: 5 Key Takeaways from 2023 Legislative Sessions
July 20, 2023
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.
First-in-nation ban on PFAS “forever chemicals” in menstrual products, cleaning ingredients, cookware, and dental floss signed by Minnesota Governor
May 25, 2023
PORTLAND, OR⸺Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed into law the first-ever ban in the U.S. on PFAS “forever chemicals” in cookware, dental floss, and menstrual products as part of the broadest PFAS policy package in the country. The new law bans all uses of PFAS in products by 2032—except those that are necessary for public health, requires manufacturers to report their use of PFAS in products to the state by 2026, and bans specific uses in several products starting in 2025.
Strongest law in the U.S. regulating toxic chemicals in cosmetics signed by Washington State Governor today
May 15, 2023
Today, the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (HB 1047)—sponsored by Washington State Representative Sharlett Mena (29th Legislative District)—was signed by Governor Inslee, making it the strongest law in the nation regulating cosmetics and personal care products.
New analysis: PFAS “forever chemical” policies will dominate in states nationwide in 2023
February 06, 2023
Today, Safer States released its 2023 analysis of anticipated toxic chemical related policies across the country, finding that PFAS “forever chemical” policies will, again, dominate policy agendas in states nationwide–with at least 28 states expected to consider PFAS-related policy. Addressing plastic pollution and toxic chemicals in cosmetics are also expected to be key focus areas for many state policies in 2023. Altogether, at least 31 states will consider approximately 260 bills on toxic chemical policies in 2023.
2023 Analysis of State Legislation Addressing Toxic Chemicals and Materials
February 06, 2023
Safer States published 2023 Analysis of State Legislation Addressing Toxic Chemicals and Materials on February 6, 2023 which analyzed state-level policies driving toward safer chemicals and materials and healthier communities, finding that at least 30 states will consider policies in 2023. Safer States anticipates that at least 260 policies will be under consideration in 2023 with PFAS, plastics and cosmetics being the most relevant issues.
New York ended the year 2022 on a high note by banning toxic PFAS chemicals in apparel and carpets
January 06, 2023
Just before the new year, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law a bill restricting the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, in apparel. The bill will eliminate the use of PFAS in apparel by Dec. 31, 2023. Governor Hochul also signed a bill banning PFAS in carpets as part of a mandate requiring manufacturers to implement a carpet collection program.
A look back on 2022: states led the way on protecting public health from toxic chemicals
December 16, 2022
The year 2022 was a pivotal year where numerous states took significant action to safeguard human and environmental health from toxic chemicals and pushed toward a system based on safer chemicals and materials. Given the urgency of the PFAS chemical crisis contaminating drinking water across the country, states drove an ambitious agenda, pushing for class-based restriction of toxic chemicals, transparency about what chemicals are in what products, holding polluters accountable, preventing false solutions, and investing in cleanup.
PFAS crisis sparks bipartisan momentum
November 17, 2022
There is reason to hope that we can see beyond the political divisions that were evident on election day 2022 and work together to address common threats. One issue, in particular, has consistently drawn bipartisan attention from state legislators across the country — the need to address toxic PFAS chemicals that are contaminating communities and drinking water.