STATEMENT: Statewide ban on toxic PFAS in consumer products clears first legislative hurdle in Harrisburg

HARRISBURG – House Bill 2238, which would ban per & polyfluoroalkyl substances – better known as PFAS or “forever chemicals” – in a wide range of products, passed the Pennsylvania State House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee today by a vote of 14-11. The legislation’s chief sponsor is state Representative Greg Scott (Norristown, Montgomery County). 

PFAS are a class of thousands of chemicals commonly used to make every-day consumer products water resistant, durable or slippery. They have been nicknamed ‘forever chemicals’ because they don’t break down in the environment. Exposure to these chemicals 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 many manufacturing processes.

To address these threats, 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:

“Today was a great first step toward protecting Pennysylvanians from toxic PFAS in the products we use every day.  All Pennsylvanians  should be able to trust that the products being sold on the shelves are safe, and the protections offered in HB 2238 are long overdue. Whether Pennsylvanians are frying an egg, microwaving popcorn, buying baby supplies or heading to the park to kick a ball around on a soccer field, we shouldn’t need to worry about being exposed to toxic “forever chemicals” that threaten our family’s health.  We urge our leaders in Harrisburg to pass this critical legislation as quickly as possible.”