Newsom Signs Laws Banning ‘Forever Chemicals’ In Children’s Products, Food Packaging

By Sharon Udasin | The Hill | October 5, 2021

Read the full article by Sharon Udasin (The Hill)

“California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed two laws on Tuesday banning the use of toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in children’s products and disposable food packaging, as well as a package of bills to overhaul the state’s recycling operations, his office announced that evening.

‘California’s hallmark is solving problems through innovation, and we’re harnessing that spirit to reduce the waste filling our landfills and generating harmful pollutants driving the climate crisis,’ Newsom said in a press statement.

The pollutants driving the first two laws are perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of toxic compounds linked to kidney, liver, immunological, developmental and reproductive issues. These so-called ‘forever chemicals’ are most known for contaminating waterways via firefighting foam, but they are also key ingredients in an array of household products like nonstick pans, toys, makeup, fast-food containers and waterproof apparel.

One of the laws, introduced by Assemblywoman Laura Friedman (D), prohibits the use of PFAS in children’s products, such as car seats and cribs, beginning on July 1, 2023, according to the governor’s office.

‘As a mother, it’s hard for me to think of a greater priority than the safety and well-being of my child,’ said Friedman, in a news release from the Environmental Working Group (EWG). ‘PFAS have been linked to serious health problems, including hormone disruption, kidney and liver damage, thyroid disease and immune system disruption.

‘This new law ends the use of PFAS in products meant for our children,’ she added.”…

This content provided by the PFAS Project.