Colorado lawmakers proposed amendments to strengthen the ban on PFAS in consumer products, expanding prohibitions and adjusting regulations to better safeguard water sources and public health.
Michael Booth reports for The Colorado Sun.
In short:
- Senate Bill 81 aims to extend the ban on PFAS to include a wider range of products, from kitchenware to dental floss, starting January 1, with full enforcement by 2028.
- The bill is a response to the overwhelming costs of filtering out PFAS for water treatment agencies and aims to align Colorado with other states in regulating these chemicals.
- PFAS, known for their presence in firefighting foam and various consumer goods, are linked to numerous health issues and are found in the bloodstream of nearly all Americans.
Key quote:
"If we don’t set a line somewhere, what incentive is there for corporations to make a change?"
— Sen. Lisa Cutter, D-Littleton
Why this matters:
The issue with PFAS lies in their persistence; they do not break down in the environment or in the human body, leading to widespread contamination of water and soil. Research has linked exposure to certain PFAS to a variety of health problems, including cancer, hormone disruption, immune system harm, and developmental issues.
A new report from Safer States finds “forever chemicals” could be banned in more uses than ever in 2024 state bills.
