A bipartisan initiative in the Pennsylvania House aims to eliminate hazardous substances known as “forever chemicals” from common consumer products. Lawmakers are increasingly concerned that routine exposure to these chemicals poses significant long-term health risks, often unnoticed by the public.
State Representative Greg Scott, a Democrat representing Montgomery County, introduced legislation this week to ban PFAS—per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—from various items, including cosmetics, dental floss, children’s products, and menstrual pads and tampons. The proposed legislation specifically targets products that come into repeated, direct contact with the skin or body.
PFAS are synthetic chemicals that do not break down easily in the environment or in the human body. Studies have linked these substances to serious health issues, including cancer, immune system suppression, pregnancy-related hypertension, and reduced fertility. They are commonly used by manufacturers for their ability to repel water, oil, and stains.
Scott highlighted that public focus on PFAS has primarily revolved around contaminated drinking water, particularly near airports and military bases where firefighting foams have leached into groundwater. He emphasized that the presence of these chemicals extends far beyond those locations, affecting everyday items used by consumers.
“These products are used on the face, in the mouth, or by babies and toddlers exploring the world,” Scott stated. “Every time a person uses one of these products, they’re exposed. Over a lifetime, that adds up.”
The proposal has garnered support from both sides of the political aisle, including Republican Representative Natalie Mihalek from Allegheny and Washington counties. Mihalek noted that consumers struggle to avoid PFAS on their own and called for decisive action rather than mere warnings as concerns over chemicals in food, pesticides, and household goods escalate.
In addition to personal health risks, lawmakers have also raised alarms about environmental impacts. Products containing PFAS, when discarded in landfills, can break down and contaminate groundwater, posing a threat to nearby drinking water supplies.
House Bill 2145 aims to prohibit the use of PFAS in the manufacturing of the targeted products while providing manufacturers with a transition period to comply. Advocates of the measure believe it strikes a balance between addressing public health concerns and allowing industry time to adapt.
The bill is now set to proceed through the legislative process, where its progress will indicate how quickly Pennsylvania is willing to respond to growing scrutiny over “forever chemicals” nationwide. This initiative reflects a wider push across the United States to regulate these substances in consumer goods, highlighting increasing public awareness and demand for safer products.
