California has banned the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in clothing, several textiles and other products like coatings and floor finishes.

Personal protective equipment for workers is exempted from the bill. Because of the size of California’s economy, the law’s influence will be felt not only in California, but well beyond, from the places where textiles are produced to the places where they are disposed of or discarded. It is also likely to affect the presence of PFAS in textiles in other US markets outside California.

Chemical companies sell PFAS for application to products like paper and textiles as stain-resistant, water-repellent and grease-proofing treatments. PFAS have been linked to serious health problems, such as cancer, immune system suppression, increased cholesterol levels, pregnancy-induced hypertension, liver damage, reduced fertility and increased risk of thyroid disease.

PFAS are widely used, long lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time.There are thousands of PFAS chemicals. Because of their widespread use and their persistence in the environment, many PFAS are found in the blood of people and animals all over the world and are present at low levels in a variety of food products and in the environment.PFAS are found in water, air, fish, and soil.