
Understanding U.S. state-level PFAS legislation
Answering questions regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
GUARD ON COMPLIANCE
By Misty Guard
GUARD ON COMPLIANCE
By Misty Guard
As we bid farewell to July and embrace August, summer continues with its long days under a radiant sun and offers us more opportunities to create cherished memories. While enjoying a sun-drenched afternoon at the park or a starlit gathering on the porch, the subtly waning light of August reminds us to savor each moment.
A client recently asked, "How long has PFAS been a topic in United States (U.S.) legislation?" For a refresher on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS and "Forever Chemicals," I invite you to review my May and December 2023 columns, PFAS: A Growing Concern and Forever Chemicals in the News, where I provide background on PFAS and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) regulatory action.
My client's question started me thinking that some of my readers may have the same question, so I did some investigation. I looked deeply into U.S. state-level PFAS legislation. Specifically, I studied from 2007 to June 2024 to determine 1) the U.S. states that are most active, 2) the U.S. states that adopt the most PFAS legislation, 3) the other chemicals that are included in PFAS legislation, and 4) the environmental, firefighting and consumer product categories that are addressed by U.S. state-level PFAS legislation.
Because "a picture is worth a thousand words," I will use the following charts to summarize and present my findings on the complex topic of U.S. PFAS legislation.
Which U.S. states are the most active in PFAS legislation?

Figure 1
ENLARGE

Figure 2
ENLARGE

Figure 3
ENLARGE
Which U.S. states adopted the most PFAS legislation?

Figure 4
ENLARGE

Figure 5
ENLARGE
What other chemicals are included in PFAS legislation?

Figure 6
ENLARGE

Figure 7
ENLARGE

Figure 8
ENLARGE
What environmental categories are addressed by U.S. state-level PFAS legislation?

Figure 9
ENLARGE

Figure 10
ENLARGE
What firefighting categories are addressed by U.S. state-level PFAS legislation?

Figure 11
ENLARGE

Figure 12
ENLARGE
Because "a picture is worth a thousand words," I will use the following charts to summarize and present my findings on the complex topic of U.S. PFAS legislation.
Which consumer products are addressed by U.S. state-level PFAS legislation?

Figure 13
ENLARGE

Figure 14
ENLARGE

Figure 15
ENLARGE
As you read your way through these charts, I invite you to contact Regulosity for a tailored PFAS analysis specific to your organization's needs. Let us guide you through this complex landscape. We're here to help!
Image courtesy of Yevhenii Podshyvalov / iStock / Getty Images Plus.
Misty Guard, MSPP, is president of Regulosity in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She assists international and domestic companies to obtain and maintain market access for products worldwide. She creates solutions that support businesses to achieve compliance with laws, regulations, codes, standards and public policies. Follow her on Twitter and LinkedIn. She can be reached by email at info@regulosity.com.