STATEMENT: Pennsylvania House Bill 2238 would phase out PFAS in many common products

HARRISBURG – New legislation introduced by Representatives Greg Scott (Montgomery County), Tarik Kahn (Philadelphia County) and Mandy Steele (Allegheny County)  – House Bill 2238 – would ban per & polyfluoroalkyl substances – better known as PFAS or “forever chemicals” – in a wide range of products.

PFAS are a class of thousands of chemicals commonly used to make consumer products water resistant, durable or slippery. They have been nicknamed ‘forever chemicals’ because they resist breaking down in the environment and they’re found in millions of Americans’ drinking water. PFAS exposure has been linked to a wide range of serious health problems including kidney and liver disease, immune system suppression, birth defects and cancer.

PFAS are found in products ranging from coatings for non-stick pans, paper products and textiles to cosmetics, personal care products and food packaging to the artificial turf. They’re also a common additive  in product manufacturing.

House Bill 2238  would:

• Ban the use of PFAS chemicals in the manufacture and sale of a broad set of products in Pennsylvania by 2027. These products include: artificial turf, cleaning products, carpeting, cookware, cosmetics, dental floss, fabric treatments, food packaging, infant and children’s products, menstrual products, materials used in oil and gas production, ski wax, and textiles. 
• Phase out the sale of outdoor apparel for extreme wet weather conditions containing PFAS by 2029.
• Prohibits of intentionally added PFAS for products not previously covered starting in 2033, with a set of select exemptions, including medical devices.

Stephanie Wein, Clean Water and Conservation Advocate for PennEnvironment, released the following statement:

“A major source of PFAS exposure are the products we use – in food packaging; in our clothing, carpets and furniture; in personal care products and cosmetics and so many more. Pennsylvanians should be able to trust the products being sold on the shelves are safe, and the protections offered in HB 2238 are long overdue. Whether Pennsylvanians are heading out on the soccer field, frying an egg, microwaving popcorn or buying baby supplies, we shouldn’t need to worry about being exposed to toxic “forever chemicals” that threaten our family’s health. “