New York State took a major step toward turning off the tap on toxic forever chemicals Thursday, the last scheduled day of the 2024 legislative session. The State Senate passed a bill (S5648F) that would phase out the sale of everyday household items containing additionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in a variety of product categories, including cleaning products, fabric treatments, dental floss, household textiles, rugs, paints, and ski wax.
Earlier in Thursday’s session, the Senate passed a separate bill (S3529C) that would restrict the use of PFAS and other toxic chemicals in menstrual products. A bill (S4265B) banning the use of PFAS in cosmetics and personal care products had yet to be brought to a vote in either the Senate or the Assembly.
“We’ve felt all along that a comprehensive approach is the best way to ensure these toxins don’t get into our bodies, our drinking water, and Long Island Sound,” said David Ansel, vice president of water protection for Save the Sound. “Several states have banned the use of PFAS in a variety of everyday household products, and we were encouraged when Connecticut passed similar comprehensive legislation just a few weeks ago. Though some key categories were removed during the process of amending the bill in recent days, this is still a significant step toward eliminating contaminants that are so dangerous to public and environmental health. We call on the New York State Assembly to pass these bills immediately, so New Yorkers across the state can benefit from many of the same protections as people in neighboring states.”