The Race to Remove ‘Forever Chemicals’ from Clothing Ahead of Bans

January 10, 2025

Read the full article by H. Claire Brown (The Wall Street Journal)

"Bans on the sale of clothing containing “forever chemicals” went into effect in New York and California on Jan. 1. Similar bans are scheduled to roll out in more states next year.

Also known as PFAS or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, forever chemicals are used in clothing to repel water and prevent stains. A growing body of research has found that the chemicals persist in the environment for years after products are thrown away, and they have been linked to negative health outcomes.

“In terms of a public health issue, PFAS checks, unfortunately, all of the boxes,” said Anna Reade, lead PFAS scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “The chemicals are super persistent, so what we’ve made decades ago is still in our environment now. As we continue to make more PFAS, we’re going to be dealing with that issue for decades to come.”