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Monthly Archives

February 2022

States will weigh more than 210 bills on toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in 2022

By PFAS in the news

“Protecting people from exposure to toxic ‘forever chemicals’ will be a top priority for new state regulations throughout the U.S. in 2022, according to a new analysis.

The analysis, published by the Safer States network, found that at least 32 states will consider more than 210 bills related to PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances), making regulation of the chemicals one of the most prevalent issues in state policy making this year. Read more…

Taking the ‘forever’ out of toxic ‘forever chemicals’

By PFAS in the news

They’re used in a wide range of consumer and industrial products, and they degrade so slowly that they’ve earned the nickname ‘forever chemicals.’

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have contaminated air, soil and water around the world, and their ubiquity and persistence make them a nightmare to clean up.

But what if we could take the ‘forever’ out of these forever chemicals, and invent new ways to break some of them down?

That’s one goal of a series of studies led by University at Buffalo researcher Diana Aga, PhD, director of the UB RENEW Institute and Henry M. Woodburn Professor of Chemistry in the UB College of Arts and Sciences. UB faculty, students and postdoctoral researchers are engaged in these projects, as well as partners from other institutions. Read more…

States will weigh more than 210 bills on toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in 2022

By PFAS in the news

Protecting people from exposure to toxic ‘forever chemicals’ will be a top priority for new state regulations throughout the U.S. in 2022, according to a new analysis.

The analysis, published by the Safer States network, found that at least 32 states will consider more than 210 bills related to PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances), making regulation of the chemicals one of the most prevalent issues in state policy making this year.

PFAS are a class of more than 9,000 compounds with similar properties. They’re used in everything from clothing and carpeting to nonstick pots and pans, furniture, cosmetics and personal care products, and food packaging containers. PFAS don’t readily break down once they’re in the environment, so they accumulate human bodies over time. Exposure to PFAS is linked to cancer, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, pregnancy-induced hypertension, asthma, and ulcerative colitis. Read more…

Major fashion brands phasing out of toxic forever chemicals

By PFAS in the news

PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are becoming the latest fashion faux pas across multi-billion dollar apparel brands. February kicked off with a series of major announcements to eliminate the toxic ‘forever chemical’ from iconic brands:

  • Ralph Lauren committed to eliminate toxic PFAS use in all of its products by the end of 2022.
  • American Eagle confirmed plans to eliminate all PFAS use by 2024.
  • Abercrombie & Fitch reported it plans to ensure all PFAS use in its supply chain is ended by 2025.
  • PVH, parent company of Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger and several other major U.S. apparel brands, announced plans to phase out the use of all PFAS from its supply chain by 2024.

Read more…

Evidence of PFAS chemicals in sports bras

By PFAS in the news

Fifteen out of 23 popular sports bras have detectable levels of fluorine, an indicator of toxic PFAS, according to a new report from Mamavation.

Partnering with EHN.org, the environmental wellness blog and community Mamavation tested the sports bras and found levels of fluorine ranging from 10 parts per million (ppm) up to 58 ppm. EHN.org partially funded the testing and Pete Myers, chief scientist of Environmental Health Sciences, which publishes Environmental Health News, reviewed the findings. Read more…