Protecting NJ Residents: Lawmakers Move to BAN Toxic PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Your Makeup and Takeout Containers!
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, New Jersey Declares War on PFAS: Protecting Daily Life from “Forever Chemicals”. New Jersey, a state often described by environmental advocates as “ground zero” for environmental issues, is moving decisively to protect its residents from the harmful health impacts of PFAS—or Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances. These chemicals, dubbed “forever chemicals” because they do not naturally break down and accumulate in the human body and environment, are commonly found in thousands of consumer goods.
After months of negotiation, a major bill (sponsored by State Senators Linda Greenstein and Bob Smith) that would ban the intentional addition of PFAS in certain consumer products successfully cleared the Senate’s Budget and Appropriations Committee on December 8th.
What Products Will Be Banned in the Garden State?
The proposed legislation represents a significant step forward, focusing on products where New Jersey residents have direct and frequent contact with these substances. The ban, if passed, would be fully implemented two years after the bill’s effective date.
The three key consumer product categories targeted for a ban on intentionally added PFAS are:
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Cosmetics: Protecting against absorption through skin and makeup application.
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Carpet and Fabric Treatments: Reducing household exposure in the environment where people live.
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Food Packaging: Eliminating a major pathway for PFAS to leach into food and beverages.
Additionally, the bill mandates increased transparency for cookware manufacturers, requiring clear labels notifying consumers if a product contains intentionally added PFAS.
A “Good Compromise” for Health and Industry
Senator Greenstein (D-Mercer/Middlesex) emphasized that the bill is not a “comprehensive” ban but a strategic outcome of a “transparent and inclusive dialogue” that balanced industry concerns with public health advocacy.
Jennifer Coffey, Executive Director of the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions, stressed the critical need for action: “A quickly growing body of epidemiological studies are adding to our collective understanding of the impact of different forever chemicals on our human bladders, liver, lungs and other organs, including the role of forever chemicals in causing various forms of cancer and impeding human immune and reproductive systems.”
Senator Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen), Chair of the committee, commended the sponsors for creating a “good compromise here between industry and advocates.”
➡️ What Happens Next? DEP to Launch Source Reduction Program
The bill now moves closer to a full vote in the Senate and Assembly. A companion bill is currently under consideration in an Assembly committee. For the ban to become law, it must pass both chambers of the Legislature before being sent to the Governor’s desk for signing.
Beyond the product bans, the legislation includes vital environmental provisions, requiring the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to:
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Establish a source reduction program for PFAS contamination.
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Launch an education campaign to reduce PFAS contamination in the environment.
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Conduct comprehensive research and monitoring of PFAS levels in the state’s environment and natural resources.
New Jersey is poised to join a growing number of states taking definitive action against this pervasive class of chemicals, prioritizing the long-term health of its citizens and environment.
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