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Several State Lawmakers Want to Ban PFAS in Most Products Starting in 2028

Wednesday, March 6th, 2024 -- 8:00 AM

(Hope Kirwan, Wisconsin Public Radio) Several Democratic state lawmakers want to ban the use of PFAS in most products starting in 2028.

But, according to Hope Kirwan with Wisconsin Public Radio, moving the legislation forward may be a challenge as GOP lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Tony Evers continue to be at odds over how to address the “forever chemicals."

State Sen. Brad Pfaff, D-Onalaska, and state Rep. Jill Billings, D-La Crosse, announced a new bill that would prohibit the sale of certain products with added PFAS, like food packaging, cleaning products and cosmetics, starting in 2028.

All products with PFAS would be banned in 2034, but the legislation would allow the state Department of Natural Resources to grant exemptions to products with unavoidable PFAS use.

During a press conference on Thursday, Pfaff said many national retailers have already committed to removing the group of synthetic chemicals, which have been linked to kidney and testicular cancers, fertility issues and other serious health problems.

He said cutting PFAS is no different from previous bans on products hurting public health and the environment. As an example, Pfaff pointed to the federal ban on DDT after it was found to be poisoning bald eagles.

“This nation stepped forward collectively and moved away from that product and we’ve got American bald eagles flying above us,” Pfaff said. “This nation moved away from leaded gasoline. We have unleaded gasoline, and we’re continuing to make transitions as we go forward.”

The legislation is similar to a ban created in Minnesota last year, which has been described as one of the broadest in the nation. Many products with added PFAS will start to be banned in 2025, with a full ban beginning in 2032.

Billings described it as an “aspirational bill,” saying she expects the timeline for phasing out PFAS could change as the legislation moves forward.

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