NH Senate passes ban of PFAS in certain consumer products: 'We got it done'

May 16, 2024

Read the full article by Margie Cullen (Portsmouth Herald)

"The New Hampshire Senate passed a bill to address the “critical” issue of PFAS contamination on Wednesday.

HB 1649 would ban the sale of certain consumer products containing intentionally added per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as forever chemicals, effective Jan. 1, 2027. The products would include things like adult mattresses, carpets and food packaging. It passed the Senate unanimously in a voice vote.

“This is an extraordinary accomplishment. At last, we are going to protect the people of New Hampshire from PFAS: At last, people of Merrimack, people down along the Seacoast and everywhere else where PFAS has been found,” said Sen. David Watters, D-Dover, on the Senate floor, referencing locations where water has been contaminated. “We did it, we got it done.”