Maine Becomes First U.S. State to Ban ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Products

PFAS chemicals can be found in soil, drinking water, the air, food packaging, cosmetics, cookware, various household products, and industrial workplaces—resulting in widespread exposure to humans and the environment. Bastiaan Slabbers / NurPhoto / Getty Images By Jenna McGuire Maine enacted a groundbreaking law on Thursday, banning the use of so-called "forever chemicals" in all products by 2030, except in instances deemed "currently unavoidable." Maine is the first state in the U.S. and first government in the world to implement a ban on the toxic chemicals per- and polyfluoroalkyl, known as PFAS, which are notorious for not breaking down easily in the environment and can remain in a person’s body for decades after exposure. "I am proud to see Maine taking action that will change the conversation on how PFAS are regulated, not only addressing the entire class, but creating the requirement to avoid these persistent and toxic chemicals wherever possible," said Patrick MacRoy, the deputy director of Defend Our Health, a public health organization in Maine that coordinated with experts and community advocates to get the bill passed. The man-made chemicals can be found in soil, drinking water, the air, food packaging, cosmetics, cookware, various household products, and […]

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