Vermont Governor Phil Scott has signed a bill into law that restricts the use, manufacture and sale of products in Vermont containing a group of toxic chemicals collectively known as PFAS.
The products include certain firefighting foams and equipment, food packaging, ski wax, kids’ products and carpets that contain potentially harmful chemicals called perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
The law takes effect on July 1, with restrictions on certain products going into effect over the next several years.
“This step removes hidden forever chemicals from human exposure. It is an important step to keep Vermonters healthy,” Sen. Ginny Lyons said in a written statement on Wednesday.
Not only do the products expose people when used but the chemicals can leach into water when the items are disposed of, environmentalists and legislators said.
“Passage of this bill ensures our members will not be exposed to cancer-causing chemicals in the equipment and extinguishing agents we use to fight fires,” Bradley Reed, president of the Professional Firefighters of Vermont, said in a statement.
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