How a Colorado ‘forever chemicals’ ban could impact what you can buy

Colorado will become the latest state to ban forever chemicals, commonly known as polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS). Health experts have linked PFAS to serious health problems. The law will be implemented in 2025 but a complete ban on products with forever chemicals, like cookware, clothes, waterproof apparel and more, won’t go into place until 2028.

Critics argue that the state law will end up making products more expensive for consumers both by limiting the supply of legal household products and increasing regulatory costs.

However, lawmakers and advocates celebrated the move as a victory for public health on Monday, June 24, in Brighton, Colorado.

For many it displayed the fruits of their labor.

13-year-old Madhvi Chittoor from Colorado, an environmental activist who testified before Colorado lawmakers on behalf of the law, told CBS News that these chemicals have an impact on everyone and everything.

“They don’t biodegrade, and bioaccumulate into all living beings, which includes our food, even in our water, our soil, all over the ecosystem, in animals, and now even in our bodies,” Chittoor said. “It’s seen in fetuses, and it causes so many health effects, and it’s very big problem.

Forever chemicals have been used for decades and research has linked them to cancer, heart disease and infertility.

The chemicals are used to repel oil and water, as well as create heat resistance in nonstick pans, stain-resistant clothing, and firefighting foam.

“We know that PFAS are a dangerous toxin,” said Colorado Sen. Lisa Cutter, D, who co-sponsored the bill. “We don’t need to continue producing them. Certainly, there are cases where it’s not plausible right away to gravitate away from them, but we need to be moving in that direction. Our community shouldn’t have to pay the price for their health.”

Colorado is the latest of 28 states to adopt laws and regulations that limit PFAS. On May 1, Gov. Jared Polis, D-Colo., signed the bill into law.