[Press Release] CA Gets Tougher On PFAS Chemicals Under Ting Bill Signed By The Governor

September 29, 2022

Read the full article by Phil Ting

"The Golden State continues to crack down on the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), chemicals that put our health and the environment at risk. Governor Newsom tonight signed AB 1817 by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), which bans the use of these harmful substances in fabrics by 2025. They’re commonly added to clothing and household items to make them water or stain resistant.

“I applaud the Governor for signing this meaningful legislation into law, and once again making California a leader in getting rid of PFAS. By banning its use in fabrics, AB 1817 addresses a source of environmental contamination and reduces human exposure to these toxic chemicals. This is a first-in-the nation law to stop the use of these ‘forever chemicals’ in this product category, setting up a national model on the efforts to mitigate PFAS pollution. It’s a great follow up to my legislation from last year, which bans these harmful substances in food packaging,” said Ting.

PFAS are a class of approximately 9,000 chemicals and have been linked to health problems including cancer, hormone disruption, thyroid disease and vaccine interference. They’re referred to as “forever chemicals” because of their resistance to breaking down, making them persistent in the environment and human body."