Michigan Dems announce bills banning PFAS in household products

BY SUSAN J. DEMAS, MICHIGAN ADVANCE

MICHIGAN—Two Democratic House members on Monday announced they are sponsoring legislation that would eventually eliminate the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in household products like clothes and cleaning products.

Known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS are synthetic chemicals that are widely used in various household and industrial products due to their water and oil resistance properties and are the primary acting agent in firefighting foams. They have been found in groundwater and have been linked to health problems including cancer.

State Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing) and Majority Floor Leader Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck) said the bills will be introduced this week to commemorate Earth Day.

“Protecting our environment and public health is paramount, and these bills represent crucial steps towards achieving that goal,” Tsernoglou said. “By phasing out PFAS in household products, we’re taking a significant step towards a healthier, safer future for generations to come.”

According to a news release, the bills will propose “stringent” regulations on household products like apparel, cleaning products and cookware containing intentionally added PFAS, effectively banning their sale beginning Jan. 1, 2027 “unless the PFAS in the product are currently unavoidable.” Manufacturers of products that contain intentionally added PFAS will be required to submit a detailed report to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), which will then be able to provide exemptions to products, if they find that the PFAS used in them are currently unavoidable, the release said.

The sale or distribution of any product containing intentionally added PFAS that has not been granted an exemption by EGLE will be prohibited in Michigan, beginning Jan. 1, 2032.

“For over a decade, we’ve known the harmful effects of PFAS on our planet and people. Michigan can continue to lead our nation towards a more sustainable, healthier environment with this legislation,”Aiyash said. “We have a responsibility to be better stewards in protecting the air, land and water. Our future generations depend on it.”

WATCH MORE: Feds crack down on ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water

This coverage was republished from Michigan Advance pursuant to a Creative Commons license.