States across the US have been implementing restrictions and bans to address PFAS pollution.

A recent analysis by Safer States (a national alliance in the US working to safeguard people and planet from toxic chemicals) estimated that in 2024, 35 states will take action against PFAS. There has also been national action on PFAS in US drinking water. These actions follow the emergence of PFAS pollution scandals across the United States, and a growing body of research linking exposure to certain PFAS with serious health issues.

PFAS are a family of over 10,000 chemicals known as ‘forever chemicals’ because they last for generations in the environment. They are used in a wide range of consumer products, such as food packaging, cosmetics, and clothing, as well as in industrial applications. Exposure to some PFAS has been linked to developmental issues, immune system disruption, and other serious health conditions.

Among the states that have introduced broad PFAS restrictions are Maine, Minnesota and Colorado.

Maine

Maine led the charge, and in 2021 it was the first US state to ban the sale of products containing intentionally added PFAS. The law introduced a plan to phase out PFAS in all uses by 2030, except for “currently unavoidable” uses. It also introduced reporting obligations, which entered into force from January 2023. In April 2024, this law was modified to ban PFAS in key products such as cookware, textiles, children’s products, cosmetics and menstrual products by 2026 instead of 2030, and in artificial turf, outside apparel for extreme weather conditions and fluorinated containers by 2029. The phase out of PFAS in most other products was extended from 2030 to 2032.

Minnesota

In May 2023, Minnesota signed into law the broadest PFAS restriction in the country to-date. It not only restricts unnecessary uses of PFAS by 2032, but it also bans PFAS in 13 specific product categories including cookware, dental floss and menstrual products by 2025, and requires companies to disclose if they are using PFAS in any product.

Colorado

Earlier this month, Colorado’s Governor signed an agreement to phase out the sale or distribution of certain products containing PFAS. The ban targets cosmetics, carpets, food packaging, certain textiles and outdoor apparel. Use of PFAS in these products will be phased out from 2025 to 2028.

National US drinking water laws

The US recently introduced new national limits on certain PFAS in drinking water. The restriction includes individual limits for five PFAS chemicals including PFOS and PFOA – both of which have been linked to negative health impacts, such as the development of certain cancers, interference with the hormonal and reproductive systems, and negative impacts on the immune system. The legislation also sets a combined limit for a mixture of two or more of four specific PFAS saying that this rule will prevent thousands of premature deaths and serious illnesses in the US population.

To find out about a PFAS drinking water pollution scandal that unfolded in the US see our news story on the film ‘Dark Waters’. Unfortunately, PFAS pollution scandals are not confined to the United States and have also been unfolding across Europe, find out about European PFAS scandals here.

The lawmaking bodies of the European Union are currently considering a universal PFAS restriction to phase out PFAS in the EU. CHEM Trust is calling for Members of the European Parliament to instruct the next EU Commission President to commit to presenting the universal PFAS restriction as soon as possible.

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