Legislators, Advocates Urge Albany to Take Action to Protect Against PFAS Exposure

ALBANY, NY (May 15, 2024) — Today state legislators and advocates called for the immediate passage of a set of bills to reduce human exposure to per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and limit environmental contamination from PFAS in New York, including:

• a bill to eliminate PFAS in key consumer and household products (A3556C/S5648C),
• a bill to eliminate PFAS and other toxic chemicals in personal care and cosmetic products (A6969/S4265), 
• a bill to eliminate PFAS and other toxic products in menstrual products (A5990/S3529), 
• and a bill to require testing for the presence of PFAS released into waterways (A3296A/S227B). 

The New York State legislative session ends on June 6th, which leaves only three weeks to pass legislation that protects New Yorkers from exposure to PFAS in everyday items like rugs, household paint, personal care and menstrual products, cookware, and more.

Exposure to PFAS in these everyday items, and in water, may lead to reproductive harms (i.e. decreased fertility or increased high blood pressure in pregnant women); developmental harms in children (i.e. low birth weight, accelerated puberty, or behavioral changes); increased risk of some cancers (including prostate, kidney, and testicular); reduced immunity to fight infections; hormone interference; and higher cholesterol levels.

In April, the Environmental Protection Agency issued its first-ever national limits on PFAS in drinking water. While this was a big win for public health, these standards do not address the need to eliminate using PFAS in product manufacturing, nor protect New Yorkers from exposure to  PFAS in the products they touch and use daily.

The following are quotes from attendees and speakers at today’s press conference in Albany:

Senator Hoylman-Sigal said, “PFAS are a cancer-causing class of chemicals that are harmful to both our children and our planet. We must do everything in our power to prohibit the sale of materials containing PFAS, which have been proven to lead to a higher risk of not only cancer, but also liver and thyroid problems, hormone disruption, and decreased bone health. I'm glad that the Senate recently passed our bill to ban PFAS from anti-fogging sprays and wipes (S.992B). We can take this a step further by passing our bill that prohibits the sale of all products that contain intentionally added PFAS (S.5648C). It’s time to get these cancer causing pollutants out of New York State.”

“PFAS are among the most toxic and harmful chemicals known to humankind and their presence in our fragile drinking water supplies is simply unacceptable. If we are going to be serious about protecting our residents from these contaminants, then we must be doing everything possible to eliminate their use and reckless disposal in our environment,” said Senator Pete Harckham.

“PFAS and other toxic chemicals often found in cosmetics build up in the human body and are scientifically known to cause harm,” said Senator Lea Webb. “These ‘forever chemicals’ can increase our risk of cancers, reproductive issues, lead to neurological issues, and more. It’s imperative that we protect and act fast in an effort to eliminate PFAS from cosmetic and personal care products in New York.” 

Assemblywoman Deborah Glick said: “PFAS chemicals had been widely used for many decades in both consumer and industrial settings before we had any idea how insidious these forever chemicals truly are. We cannot wait any longer to put an end to the superfluous use of these dangerous substances. I am particularly eager to see the passage of the Beauty Justice Act this session to ensure personal care products do not contain harmful chemicals including PFAS so New Yorkers can be certain the products they apply directly on their hair, skin, and nails are safe.”

Assemblymember Kenneth Zebrowski said: “Studies consistently show the harmful effects that forever chemicals like PFAS have on humans and animals. As states like our neighbors in Vermont and others across the nation take action against these chemicals, it is time that New York do the same. Legislation that I have introduced would prohibit the sale of a wide range of products that contain intentionally added PFAS, an important step forward as we work to phase out their use and remove them from our environments.”

“New York has led the country with action on cancer-causing, toxic PFAS and other classes of chemicals,” said Assemblymember Patricia Fahy, sponsor of A9518 which would address PFAS pollutants in air quality found to be emitted from stationary sources, like smokestacks, particularly in environmental justice communities. “No amount of PFAS is safe for human contact or consumption, and New York has the opportunity to continue our progress and address the presence of PFAS in everyday items, health products, and PFAS released into our waterways this year with this package of bills. Let’s cement New York’s position as a national leader in protecting the public’s health and continue to protect New Yorkers from toxic chemicals that have no place in everyday products.” 

Assemblymember Anna Kelles said: “The PFAS disclosure bill (A3296A) takes a vital step towards safeguarding our waterways and protecting public health. By establishing annual disclosure requirements for PFAS surface water discharge, we are ensuring transparency and accountability in our efforts as a state to combat the pervasive threat of PFAS contamination. Through mandated testing protocols and public availability of data, we empower our state to make informed decisions for the well-being of our communities and environment. Together, we take action to confront the challenges posed by these 'forever chemicals' and pave the way for a safer, healthier future."

"Time is running out for the New York State legislature to take meaningful action to protect New York consumers from exposure to PFAS in rugs, textiles, dental floss, household paint, nonstick cookware, ski wax, children’s products, and more. Now is the time to act – before anyone else is unnecessarily exposed to these dangerous chemicals,” said Kate Donovan, Northeast Director of Environmental Health at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). "Every day we're coming into contact with PFAS-laden products that are doing harm to human health, and this must end.”

“As the CEO of a household cleaning and personal care products company dedicated to using only consciously clean ingredients and materials, I've seen firsthand the human health and environmental impact of ingredient and packaging decisions. In the pursuit of profit, businesses often opt for cheap ingredients and materials and manufacturing shortcuts. It is unacceptable that businesses today can choose to profit by exposing consumers to PFAS, while leaving them in the dark,” said Sarah Paiji Yoo, Co-Founder and CEO of Blueland “Consumers deserve the ability to purchase everyday products they put in their bodies, on their skin, and use in and around their homes without the fear of these dangerous ‘forever chemicals’. Businesses have, for too long, contributed to the problem, and now need to be part of the solution. We need to pass these bills to hold businesses accountable and protect New Yorkers.”

David Ansel, Vice President of Water Protection, Save the Sound said: "The best way of keeping toxic forever chemicals from harming people and habitat is to keep them from being added to consumer products in the first place. We are pushing for a comprehensive approach in New York, expanding the categories of products that will be banned from adding PFAS. Other states have passed comprehensive legislation, including Connecticut. Passing a similar law in New York would provide the same protections for everyone across the Long Island Sound region, and it would protect the public health of New Yorkers across our state."

"PFAS causes cancer and disrupts our hormones; they are dangerous and in many cases could be avoided completely by product makers. That's why it's so shocking that PFAS are still legal to put in everyday products such as cosmetics, cookware, drinking water, fabric, cleaning products, and period products,” said Bobbi Wilding, Executive Director of Clean+Healthy and co-leader of the JustGreen Partnership. "The simple truth is that an individual cannot live a PFAS-free life on their own - PFAS hide in too many products. The only thing that will get us there is if companies are legally forced to remove PFAS from their products. New York State must use its size and economic impact to protect not only our residents, but people across the US."

“PFAS are pervasive toxic compounds with major implications for the health of our children, families, and communities who are commonly exposed through everyday household exposures. They have been linked to lower birth weights, altered timing of puberty in adolescents, and high blood pressure in pregnancy that can have serious effects during childbirth,” said Charles Moon, MD, Co-Chair of the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee for the NYS Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “These are real issues that we deal with in our hospitals and clinics everyday and have real impacts on New York communities. We must turn off the tap and ban PFAS in consumer products!"

Loreen Hackett from PFOA Project said: "You wouldn't think it would become a tiresome feat to beg elected officials to get known toxic chemicals out of the bodies of our families and children, and environment. But here we are, year after year, with the same ask. The list of devastating health effects from PFAS exposures has gotten disturbingly long, and continues to grow on an almost weekly basis. Much as we try, we can't avoid PFAS on our own or shop our way out of the problem. There's far too many of them, they are entirely too pervasive, and mostly unlabeled. Business interests who want to continue using these carcinogens and toxins shouldn't be allowed to dictate whether the lives of our families are collateral damage to mere corporate greed. I think I speak for all of us effected that we've had enough of that nonsense. If protecting public health is truly job number one of an elected official, given the loads of science on harmful effects of these toxins, there shouldn't be one ounce of hesitation on passing these bills. They are literal life savers."

“As we make important progress to remove PFAS from our drinking water, it is counterproductive to continue using PFAS in products. The use of PFAS in products contributes to more PFAS contamination in our drinking water, causing taxpayers to pay for treatment—creating a nonsensical and costly situation,” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director for Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “It is time to be proactive in the battle to prevent PFAS contamination. We must turn off the tap to dangerous ‘forever chemicals’ and stop this problem at its source. We urge the Senate and Assembly to pass legislation that bans unnecessary and harmful uses of PFAS in everyday products.”

"The Sierra Club strongly supports the many PFAS-related bills being highlighted during today's Advocacy Day as part of the larger effort to stop the exposure of humans and wildlife to these toxic 'forever chemicals'," said Caitlin Ferrante, Conservation Program Manager, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter. "Ridding our environment of these ubiquitous toxins will improve public health and reduce the costs of healthcare and expensive filtration of drinking water. Policies like S.5648-C/A.3556-C would create a comprehensive framework to turn off the tap on PFAS chemicals where they are unnecessary and are creating downstream contamination. The package of bills we are lifting up today would help limit multiple pathways of PFAS exposure for New Yorkers. The Legislature and Governor Hochul need to act on these crucial PFAS bills with what little time remains in the Legislative session."

Rob Hayes, Director of Clean Water for Environmental Advocates NY, said, "Just a few weeks ago, the US Environmental Protection Agency finalized regulations to clean up toxic PFAS chemicals in our drinking water. There is no good reason to keep allowing these forever chemicals to contaminate our environment. It is long past time to ban the non-essential uses of these chemicals in everyday products and to stop discharges of PFAS-laden wastewater into our lakes, rivers, and groundwater. We will save money and protect New Yorkers' health by turning off the tap on toxic PFAS. We are grateful to the sponsors of these bills to make New York PFAS-free and look forward to the full package passing the Legislature this session."

“Our economy is being eroded by PFAS poisoning, and many of our businesses are directly impacted. New York has taken critical steps in banning PFAS in fire fighting foam, food packaging, and certain apparel. We must act more quickly and comprehensively to truly address this growing problem. Our economy depends on the health of our citizens and natural environment,” said Bob Rossi, Executive Director of the New York Sustainable Business Council (NYSBC)

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).