Late yesterday, Gov. Phil Scott signed into law further restrictions on the use of toxic perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighting gear, dental floss, cleaning products, and fluorine-treated containers.
According to the Vermont Department of Health, PFAS exposure can lead to reproductive and developmental disorders, decreased antibody response to vaccines, pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia, certain types of cancer, and more. In fact, the CDC has found that nearly all people in the U.S. have PFAS in their blood.
The new law (H.238) builds on earlier legislation adopted in Vermont that addressed PFAS in personal care products, menstrual products, textiles, cookware, rugs and carpets, artificial turf, ski wax, and more.
“This law will be another important step toward protecting Vermonters and our environment from exposure to toxic PFAS,” said Anna Seuberling, environmental health advocate with the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG). “In fact, it’s hard to imagine a more direct path of exposure than using a string coated with PFAS to clean your teeth every day.”
“As PFAS “forever chemicals” continue to harm Vermonters’ health and contaminate our drinking water, we must turn off the tap of more PFAS coming into our state – and this bill takes critical steps to stem the flow,” added Lauren Hierl, executive director of Vermont Natural Resources Council.
Senator Virginia Lyons, chair of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee and chief sponsor of the bill had this to say about the new law: “Reducing and eliminating PFAS in consumer goods and the environment protects personal and public health. Removing PFAS from products including dental floss, cleaning products, firefighting equipment, and textiles, limits exposures that could lead to cancer, lower antibody response to vaccines, or negative child development outcomes.”
“In a year marked by little meaningful progress in protecting public health and our environment, this legislation is a real bright spot,” said Paul Burns, executive director of VPIRG.