What are PFAS and has Colorado banned them?

No one is looking to buy something with dangerous chemicals in it, especially when those dangerous chemicals will stick around in our environment forever. 

But that’s the problem with PFAS – they are forever chemicals.

What are PFAS?

PFAS have a very technical name – per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. 

They are a group of “forever chemicals,” earning that name because they are nearly indestructible toxins that can cause major health problems in humans. 

They are human-made chemicals that are used in products because of their oil- and water- repelling capabilities, heat resistance, and friction-reduction qualities. Due to their attractive manufacturing capabilities, PFAS are now found in many common products and sources from firefighting foam to everyday household items like clothing, non-stick pans and electronics. 

Why are PFAS bad for us?

We can be exposed to PFAS by eating contaminated food, drinking contaminated water, or touching products containing PFAS, such as clothes or rugs. 

Our food can become contaminated from PFAS added to its packaging and water can be affected by toxic runoff from fire training sites, landfills, or wastewater treatment plants. 

These damaging chemicals build up in the bodies of humans over time and are harmful at low concentrations, causing major health problems. In addition to kidney cancer, thyroid disruption, and reduced responses to vaccination, PFAS may also cause reproductive problems and developmental effects in children.

In fact, studies have shown that 98 percent of humans in the US have some amount of PFAS in our bodies. 

Unfortunately, despite these health effects, the production of PFAS still continues, polluting drinking water, food sources, and soil.

Progress to phase out PFAS

For years, PFAS-containing firefighting foam would seep into nearby rivers and waterways, contaminating drinking water sources. In 2022, the U.S. Department of Defense identified at least 700 U.S. military bases with known or potential PFAS contamination. 

After this significant evidence of PFAS contamination of water on military bases, the Pentagon issued military specifications in 2023 mandating that firefighting foam purchased for military bases cannot contain PFAS. 

This significant action by the US military demonstrates that major institutions can go PFAS free. 

Unfortunately, the banning of PFAS in military base firefighting foam did not solve the problem completely because it is in so many products from carpets to clothing. 

Other states have taken action in reducing the amount of PFAS introduced to homes and communities. 

• In 2024, the State of Maryland prohibited the sale of certain rugs and carpets as well as food packaging designed for direct food contact. 
• Colorado also prohibited the sale of carpets, rugs, food packaging, and oil and gas products with intentionally added PFAS. 

In addition to state action, many companies have also stepped up to protect consumers by eliminating PFAS. 

• A coalition including Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families and Toxic-Free Future and PIRG helped convince the parent company of Burger King, Popeyes and Tim Hortons to stop using PFAS in food packaging by 2025. 
• REI, a major outdoor retailer, committed to phasing out PFAS in its clothes and cookware by 2026. 

While companies and states are targeting the production of PFAS, the EPA is considering action to limit PFAS in drinking water. They have proposed a national standard to limit the levels of six of the PFAS chemicals that exist in our drinking water and required water systems to filter PFAS in drinking water.

Why should Colorado take additional action to eliminate all PFAS?

In 2022, Colorado passed a major bill reducing the sale of different consumer products containing added PFAS.

But not every product was covered.

To continue our state’s progress to protect Coloradans from these dangerous chemicals, we should also eliminate PFAS from our clothes, cookware, and other products. 

The good news is the Colorado legislature is considering a bill that strengthens our current PFAS law. 

First, the bill will phase out the sale of certain outdoor apparel used in extreme wet conditions that contain intentionally added PFAS chemicals by 2028. 

In addition to outdoor apparel, the bill will also prohibit cleaning products, cookware, dental floss, menstruation products, ski wax, and textile articles containing added PFAS. 

The bill also prohibits a person from installing artificial turf containing additionally added PFAS after 2024. 

If passed, Colorado will continue to be a leader in phasing out PFAS in our stuff. 

Both Maine and Minnesota have already passed legislation requiring disclosure in all consumer products and a ban on PFAS in all products by 2030 and 2032 respectively. Twelve states have already adopted bans on PFAS in food packaging. Overall, 25 states have adopted 66 policies banning the sale of different products with PFAS. 

PFAS have been proven to travel from these objects into our water sources, food supplies, and eventually bodies, leading to harmful effects. 

Personally, I want to be able to purchase rain jackets and cooking pans that will not put toxins in my system and I don’t want my purchases to negatively impact the health of others. 

PFAS and their lasting, toxic impact should no longer affect our communities and future generations. 

Let’s get Colorado’s next PFAS bill passed.