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Several US. states have imposed restrictions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in children’s products.
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PFAS testing
According to a new study, after testing more than 90 waterproof and stain-resistant children’s products readily available in stores and online, traces of PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) were found in school uniforms, pillows, upholstered furniture, and several other products. None of these products carry labels warning consumers about the presence of toxic synthetic chemicals. In fact, many of these products are marketed as non-toxic or “green.”
What Are the Hazards of PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)?
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are a group of more than 9,000 chemicals containing carbon–fluorine bonds. They are widely used due to their durable properties, including resistance to water, heat, and oils.
These chemicals are present in many aspects of daily life. They are used in non-stick cookware, grease-resistant food packaging, water-repellent clothing, touchscreens, plastic molding, firefighting foams, and industrial processes. PFAS can enter water, soil, dust, and the air we breathe, and they can bioaccumulate in animals.
PFAS have been detected in the blood of more than 98% of Americans as well as in some of the most remote regions on Earth. Although relatively limited research has been conducted on the effects of PFAS on humans, existing studies have shown that PFAS exposure is associated with various health problems, including cancer, increased cholesterol levels, disruption of natural hormones, and reduced vaccine responses in children.
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) in Children’s Products
PFAS in children’s products have become a major concern for regulatory agencies across the United States, resulting in some of the strictest restrictions on PFAS in consumer products. To date, seven states have introduced regulations regarding PFAS in children’s products. The other six states introduced similar regulations in 2022 or 2023, and many states are expected to continue advancing related legislation in the coming months.
Although other industries are exploring methods to phase out PFAS from their products, regulations applicable to children’s products are among the strictest and most direct. The following U.S. jurisdictions have enacted relevant legislation:
Currently in Effect:
● Maine: Notice
● Oregon: Notice
● Vermont: Notice and potential ban
● Washington: Notice
Coming into Effect:
● California: Effective date: July 1, 2023. Prohibition with possible revisions.
● Colorado: Effective date: January 1, 2024. Prohibition.
● Oregon: Effective approximately six years after the chemical is placed on the market, with potential prohibition.
The figure below shows states that have enacted or proposed PFAS regulations for children’s products.
Subject to relevant regulations, PFAS refers to any of the following:
(1) PFAS intentionally added to a product to achieve a functional or technical effect.
(2) PFAS present in a product at a concentration equal to or greater than 100 ppm, expressed as total organic fluorine.
California recently passed legislation to phase out certain PFAS in children’s products. California, Maine, Vermont, and Washington have prohibited the use of PFAS in carpets and rugs. Maine has further committed to phasing out non-essential consumer products containing PFAS sold within the state by the end of 2030. Several other states are considering restricting or banning the use of PFAS in various applications, including firefighting foams, drinking water, food packaging, and ski waxes.
Children’s Products Covered by PFAS Regulations
Children’s products covered by PFAS regulations include, but are not limited to:Baby foam pillows, cradles, bedside sleepers, booster seats, changing mats, child restraint systems for motor vehicles and aircraft, co-sleeping beds, crib mattresses, floor play mats, high chairs, bar stools, baby rockers, baby carriers, infant seats, infant sleep positioners, baby swings, travel cots, baby walkers, nap mats, nursing pads, nursing pillows, play mats, playpens, play yards, polyurethane foam mats, pads or pillows, portable foam nap mats, portable baby pillows, portable hook-up chairs, soft-sided portable cribs, stroller and toddler mattresses, apparel and footwear, toys, cookware, tableware, reusable food and beverage containers, electronic devices, and other furniture.
As of February 8, 2023, seven states have enacted various laws regulating PFAS in children’s products, and six additional states have introduced similar legislation. This trend is expected to continue. Therefore, companies in the children’s products industry should assess their current use of these chemicals and develop compliance strategies and plans.
For more information regarding PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) and the regulatory and liability risks associated with these substances, please contact us. SATISFY provides one-stop PFAS testing services, including preliminary assessment, preparation and submission of relevant documentation, complete test monitoring, report interpretation, data analysis, and corrective action recommendations.
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