SACRAMENTO – Gov. Gavin Newsom’s veto of Senate Bill 682, which would have banned the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS from consumer products, is a deeply disappointing setback for health and environmental protection in California, the Environmental Working Group says.
By rejecting this commonsense legislation, the governor is siding with chemical industry interests over the safety of California families. And this veto will ultimately shift the costs of cleaning up PFAS contamination of tap water to consumers, rather than ending a source of PFAS pollution.
SB 682, authored by Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica), would have banned toxic PFAS from cookware, cleaning products, dental floss and other everyday household items. These harmful substances are linked to cancer, immune system harm, reproductive and developmental problems, and reduced vaccine effectiveness.
“Californians deserve protection from toxic PFAS in the products they use to cook, clean and care for their families,” said Susan Little, EWG’s California Legislative Director. “Instead, the governor’s veto leaves consumers unnecessarily exposed to these dangerous chemicals – and paying dearly for their clean up – for years to come.”
While other states like Colorado, Connecticut and Minnesota have already banned PFAS in consumer products, including cookware, California now falls behind, said Little. And the veto ignores calls from EWG and many other groups urging enactment of the bill. Support for the measure included many public health and environmental advocacy organizations, some celebrity chefs and California local government, water and sanitation agencies.
“This veto is a major step backward for California’s leadership in protecting people and the planet from toxic PFAS,” said Little. “These chemicals have no place in everyday items like cookware. Millions of Americans safely cook without them since non-PFAS pots and pans are available, cook well and are affordable.
“Gov. Newsom had the opportunity to protect millions of Californians from toxic ‘forever chemicals’ and he chose not to,” she added.
PFAS contamination in drinking water is one of the most widespread and dangerous routes of exposure. Industrial discharges, landfills, and everyday products like cookware and cleaning supplies contribute to persistent water contamination across California. Removing these chemicals requires expensive treatment technologies that water utilities must install, with costs ultimately passed on to consumers.
“By allowing PFAS to remain in everyday products, Gov. Newsom’s veto perpetuates a cycle where international corporations profit while families are exposed at home and left footing the bill to remove these chemicals from their tap water,” Little said.
###
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.