As we bid farewell to July and embrace August, summer continues with its long days under a radiant sun and offers us more opportunities to create cherished memories. While enjoying a sun-drenched afternoon at the park or a starlit gathering on the porch, the subtly waning light of August reminds us to savor each moment.
A client recently asked, "How long has PFAS been a topic in United States (U.S.) legislation?" For a refresher on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS and "Forever Chemicals," I invite you to review my May and December 2023 columns, PFAS: A Growing Concern and Forever Chemicals in the News, where I provide background on PFAS and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) regulatory action.
My client's question started me thinking that some of my readers may have the same question, so I did some investigation. I looked deeply into U.S. state-level PFAS legislation. Specifically, I studied from 2007 to June 2024 to determine 1) the U.S. states that are most active, 2) the U.S. states that adopt the most PFAS legislation, 3) the other chemicals that are included in PFAS legislation, and 4) the environmental, firefighting and consumer product categories that are addressed by U.S. state-level PFAS legislation.
Because "a picture is worth a thousand words," I will use the following charts to summarize and present my findings on the complex topic of U.S. PFAS legislation.
Which U.S. states are the most active in PFAS legislation?
FIGURE 1
![](/ext/resources/images/enlarge-icon/PME-Enlarge-Icon.png)
![Figure 1. PFAS Legislation by Status (2007 to June 2024)](/ext/resources/Issues/2024/08-August/Columns/02-PME-August-2024-Misty-Guard-9999.24.P008-Figure-1-1170.jpg)
FIGURE 2
![](/ext/resources/images/enlarge-icon/PME-Enlarge-Icon.png)
![Figure 2. PFAS Legislation by Year (2007 to June 2024)](/ext/resources/Issues/2024/08-August/Columns/03-PME-August-2024-Misty-Guard-9999.24.P008-Figure-2-1170.jpg)
FIGURE 3
![](/ext/resources/images/enlarge-icon/PME-Enlarge-Icon.png)
![Figure 3. Top 10 Most Active U.S. States for PFAS Legislation (2007 to June 2024)](/ext/resources/Issues/2024/08-August/Columns/04-PME-August-2024-Misty-Guard-9999.24.P008-Figure-3-1170.jpg)
Which U.S. states adopted the most PFAS legislation?
FIGURE 4
![](/ext/resources/images/enlarge-icon/PME-Enlarge-Icon.png)
![Figure 4. PFAS Legislation Adopted (2007 to June 2024)](/ext/resources/Issues/2024/08-August/Columns/05-PME-August-2024-Misty-Guard-9999.24.P008-Figure-4-1170.jpg)
FIGURE 5
![](/ext/resources/images/enlarge-icon/PME-Enlarge-Icon.png)
![Figure 5. Top U.S. States with Adopted PFAS Legislation (2007 to June 2024)](/ext/resources/Issues/2024/08-August/Columns/06-PME-August-2024-Misty-Guard-9999.24.P008-Figure-5-1170.jpg)
What other chemicals are included in PFAS legislation?
FIGURE 6
![](/ext/resources/images/enlarge-icon/PME-Enlarge-Icon.png)
![Figure 6. Chemicals in PFAS Legislation (2007 to June 2024)](/ext/resources/Issues/2024/08-August/Columns/07-PME-August-2024-Misty-Guard-9999.24.P008-Figure-6-1170.jpg)
FIGURE 7
![](/ext/resources/images/enlarge-icon/PME-Enlarge-Icon.png)
![Figure 7. Chemicals in Adopted PFAS Legislation (2007 to June 2024)](/ext/resources/Issues/2024/08-August/Columns/08-PME-August-2024-Misty-Guard-9999.24.P008-Figure-7-1170.jpg)
FIGURE 8
![](/ext/resources/images/enlarge-icon/PME-Enlarge-Icon.png)
![Figure 8. Top 5 Chemicals in Adopted PFAS Legislation (2007 to June 2024)](/ext/resources/Issues/2024/08-August/Columns/09-PME-August-2024-Misty-Guard-9999.24.P008-Figure-8-1170.jpg)
What environmental categories are addressed by U.S. state-level PFAS legislation?
FIGURE 9
![](/ext/resources/images/enlarge-icon/PME-Enlarge-Icon.png)
![Figure 9. Environmental Categories in PFAS Legislation (2007 to June 2024)](/ext/resources/Issues/2024/08-August/Columns/10-PME-August-2024-Misty-Guard-9999.24.P008-Figure-9-1170.jpg)
FIGURE 10
![](/ext/resources/images/enlarge-icon/PME-Enlarge-Icon.png)
![Figure 10. Environmental Categories in Adopted PFAS Legislation (2007 to June 2024)](/ext/resources/Issues/2024/08-August/Columns/11-PME-August-2024-Misty-Guard-9999.24.P008-Figure-10-1170.jpg)
What firefighting categories are addressed by U.S. state-level PFAS legislation?
FIGURE 11
![](/ext/resources/images/enlarge-icon/PME-Enlarge-Icon.png)
![Figure 11. Firefighting Categories in PFAS Legislation (2007 to June 2024)](/ext/resources/Issues/2024/08-August/Columns/12-PME-August-2024-Misty-Guard-9999.24.P008-Figure-11-1170.jpg)
FIGURE 12
![](/ext/resources/images/enlarge-icon/PME-Enlarge-Icon.png)
![Figure 12. Firefighting Categories in Adopted PFAS Legislation (2007 to June 2024)](/ext/resources/Issues/2024/08-August/Columns/13-PME-August-2024-Misty-Guard-9999.24.P008-Figure-12-1170.jpg)
Because "a picture is worth a thousand words," I will use the following charts to summarize and present my findings on the complex topic of U.S. PFAS legislation.
Which consumer products are addressed by U.S. state-level PFAS legislation?
FIGURE 13
![](/ext/resources/images/enlarge-icon/PME-Enlarge-Icon.png)
![Figure 13. Consumer Products in PFAS Legislation (2007 to June 2024)](/ext/resources/Issues/2024/08-August/Columns/14-PME-August-2024-Misty-Guard-9999.24.P008-Figure-13-1170.jpg)
FIGURE 14
![](/ext/resources/images/enlarge-icon/PME-Enlarge-Icon.png)
![Figure 14. Consumer Products in Adopted PFAS Legislation (2007 to June 2024)](/ext/resources/Issues/2024/08-August/Columns/15-PME-August-2024-Misty-Guard-9999.24.P008-Figure-14-1170.jpg)
FIGURE 15
![](/ext/resources/images/enlarge-icon/PME-Enlarge-Icon.png)
![Figure 15. Top 5 Consumer Products in Adopted PFAS Legislation (2007 to June 2024](/ext/resources/Issues/2024/08-August/Columns/16-PME-August-2024-Misty-Guard-9999.24.P008-Figure-15-1170.jpg)
As you read your way through these charts, I invite you to contact Regulosity for a tailored PFAS analysis specific to your organization's needs. Let us guide you through this complex landscape. We're here to help!