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Senate Health committee hears hours of testimony on SB 682 to phase out many PFAS uses
Summary
Sen. Ben Allen introduced SB 682, a proposal to ban sale and distribution of products with intentionally added PFAS unless the Department of Toxic Substances Control finds the use unavoidable; supporters said the bill addresses pervasive contamination and health risks, opponents warned it could disrupt medical devices, semiconductors and other supply chains.
Sen. Ben Allen on behalf of the Senate Committee on Health introduced SB 682, a bill to phase out nonessential uses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and require the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to determine whether certain uses are unavoidable and hence eligible for time-limited exemptions.
Supporters told the committee the bill takes a class-based, science-driven approach to PFAS (a broad family of “forever chemicals” that persist in the environment). Dr. Anna Reade of the Natural Resources Defense Council described PFAS as “associated with numerous health harms, including cancer,” and urged a phase-out where safer alternatives exist. Dr. Max (USC) summarized academic findings tying PFAS exposures to liver disease, increased risk of type 2 diabetes, lower bone mineral density and several cancers, and said cumulative PFAS exposures raise risks beyond single compounds. Jessica Gaugher of the California Association of Sanitation Agencies and numerous water agencies and clean-water and public-health organizations registered support…
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