New research from the Natural Resources Defense Council finds laws restricting perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in New York and California are having an effect.

One year after New York implemented a law banning PFAS in apparel and California implemented a law banning PFAS in apparel and other textiles, the council's report found companies have reduced the chemicals in footwear, clothes and other outdoor gear by 97% to 99%. PFAS are often called “forever chemicals” because they do not easily break down in the environment.

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Anna Reade, director of PFAS advocacy for the Natural Resources Defense Council, said some products still contain high levels of PFAS.

“Those included pet products, pet beds, and furniture blankets, like protectors for pets, most of the reusable diapers and tablecloths,” Reade outlined. “Those were unfortunate. I think it wasn’t like a mixed bag; it very much showed those areas of the market aren’t paying attention to those laws.”

Reade added the report found for some products, there was little difference in PFAS levels between the two states. Bags and shoes covered under California’s PFAS law had similar levels to those from New York, where those products are not covered. Reade pointed out it suggests many brands may not find it practical to make separate products to comply with different state PFAS restriction laws.

New York saw mixed results on PFAS regulation during this year’s legislative session. State lawmakers approved bills establishing a maximum contaminant level and expanding testing at industrial sites such as wastewater treatment plants.

Kate Donavan, northeast regional director of environmental health for the council, said other legislation the group considers necessary did not advance.

“We’ve had real trouble getting the Assembly to move on what we would call ‘upstream legislation,’ bills that are actually going to tackle phasing out the use of PFAS," Donavan acknowledged. "Because we know we have to do that, as well as address the PFAS that entered into the system in a downstream sense.”

She noted there was little opposition to bills removing PFAS from consumer products, except from the cookware industry, which argued Teflon is safe to use, though data show otherwise.