New York Plans To Ban Use of Forever Chemicals in Apparel Manufacturing — Retail Bum

New York state is looking to ban the use of PFAS or forever chemicals in apparel manufacturing by the end of 2023.

In the apparel industry, these chemicals are often used to develop water- and dirt-resistant fabrics. However, they pose a severe risk to the environment and human health as they seep into the groundwater table and, ultimately, the food chain when clothes are washed.

PFAS, also known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, pose a higher risk for healthy kidney function, increase cholesterol levels, cause liver and immune system damage, and testicular cancer.

New York’s decision to ban the use of forever chemicals in apparel manufacturing follows the footsteps of California, where their use in producing apparel and cosmetics is banned as of October 2022.

“It’s fantastic to see New York joining California in phasing out toxic ‘forever’ PFAS chemicals in clothes,” said Avi Kar, senior attorney and senior director for Health and Food at the National Resource Defence Council. “It’s important that we do away with unnecessary uses of these harmful chemicals wherever possible to protect people’s health and safety.”

“This is not the first PFAS law New York has passed, and it shouldn’t be its last,” Kar added. “New York continues to build on its leadership by enacting this law that adds to previous bans on PFAS in firefighting foam and paper-based food packaging.”

While states are enacting laws to ban the use of forever chemicals, the federal government is taking its own steps to reduce their usage on a broader level. In October 2021, the Biden administration listed steps for several government agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration, to manage pollution caused by PFAS. Additionally, the Environment and Protection Agency has allotted $1 billion in infrastructure funding to address pollution caused by PFAS and other toxic chemicals with increased testing.