2017 was a big year for chemical regulation at the state level, and Safer States predicts 2018 will be as well, as states take action rather than wait for federal policy to shift in line with momentum from 2016’s Toxic Substance Control Act reform.
Nationwide, states are urgently needing to address drinking water contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) without concrete regulatory action on the part of the EPA. While several states, including Michigan and New Hampshire, have been dealing with PFOS pollution, the EPA has not taken any definitive regulatory action. Rather, the EPA published drinking water health advisories for PFOA and PFOS, only two of the thousands of chemicals included in this class.
Flame retardants are another key issue expected to be a major focus this year, building on laws passed in 2017 in Rhode Island, Maine, and San Francisco that banned some or all flame retardants in furniture and other products. About a dozen other states introduced similar measures in 2017.
Finally, there is opportunity for other states to follow California in passing a law requiring increased disclosure of ingredients on labels of cleaning products, a measure supported by many industry groups after a compromise was reached that addressed their concerns regarding confidential business information. Disclosure measures are also being considered in personal care products and electronics.
Health Care Without Harm looks forward to seeing what 2018 has in store and will continue to keep you informed about exciting progress toward safer chemicals nationwide.
[Source: Chemical Watch]