California has officially banned the sale of tampons, pads, and other menstrual products containing intentionally-added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by 2025.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill, Assembly Bill 2515, into law on September 30, 2024. This makes California the second state to pass such legislation, following Vermont’s lead earlier this year.
Here’s What the Law Covers
The new law prohibits manufacturers and sellers from offering menstrual products that contain intentionally-added PFAS in the following products:
- Tampons
- Pads
- Menstrual cups
- Discs
- Period underwear
- Sponges
Under the new regulations, if PFAS are added unintentionally, manufacturers will still be required to keep their levels below a threshold set by California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) by 2027.
PFAS contamination is a very common problem in consumer goods. Small amounts of PFAS can end up in consumer products unintentionally in various ways—from manufacturing equipment (lubricants, etc.), from plastics production, or simply from environmental contamination (water, soil, etc.)
The new California law also establishes penalties for violating the ban, including fines for non-compliant manufacturers.
Why the Focus on Menstrual Products?
Various new state-based laws have banned PFAS in other types of products, such as cookware and clothing.
It’s time that menstrual products are included in such bans, especially considering the fact that, in independent investigations, various types of menstrual products have tested positive for PFAS.
The bill’s author, Assemblymember Diane Papan (D-San Mateo), explained the urgency of this legislation due to the intimate nature of menstrual products and the extended exposure they represent for people who use them.
Papan said, “This particular use—because it’s so intimate and affects 50% of the population for a very significant part of their lives—had a lot of urgency to it.” She goes on to say, “These are very dangerous chemicals. Can you believe that women in 2024 have to sit here and fight for this? It blows my mind.”
Menstrual products are essential, everyday items for many people, used continuously over decades. On average, a person uses about 7,400 tampons in their lifetime, according to a letter written by four members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this year.
This frequent, long-term exposure increases the potential health risks if harmful chemicals are present.
Tampons and other menstrual products are used in or near highly absorbent and sensitive areas of the body, which raises concerns about increased absorption of toxic chemicals. PFAS in these products can potentially lead to higher levels of exposure compared to other types of products where skin absorption is less of a factor.
The Roll-Out Timeline
Initially introduced in 2023, the bill was vetoed by Governor Newsom, who said he supported the idea but raised concerns about its implementation.
This year’s version of the bill garnered bipartisan support and addressed previous concerns by setting a staggered timeline.
The law will be fully implemented by 2025 for intentionally added PFAS and by 2027 for unintentional additions, giving manufacturers time to comply with the new requirements.
The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is tasked with determining the allowable threshold for unintentionally added PFAS and developing testing methods to ensure compliance.
Manufacturers will be required to register their products with the DTSC by 2029 and submit testing results showing their products meet the state’s new PFAS regulations.
What You Can Do
Even with laws like this one in place, PFAS are still present in many everyday items. Here are practical steps you can take to reduce your exposure to these chemicals:
- Check for PFAS-free labels on menstrual products. Many period underwear brands now test their products for PFAS contamination, so look for brands that explicitly state they are PFAS-free. Here are some PFAS-free period underwear brands we’ve tried.
- Use natural or organic menstrual products. Consider switching to tampons, pads, or period underwear made from organic cotton. Although organic menstrual products can also have contaminants, they are likely to contain less toxic chemicals overall. Here are some organic tampons and pads I recommend.
- Use a variety of menstrual products. Switching up what types of products you use can reduce your risk of exposure from any one specific place. So, consider using a variety of tampons, pads, cups, and underwear.
- Reduce PFAS exposure from other sources. There is a lot you can do to reduce your overall PFAS exposure by filtering your drinking water, using non-toxic cookware, and reducing how often you eat fast food / takeout.
If you’d like to learn even more about what PFAS are and how to reduce them in your life, check out my PFAS Masterclass. It’s a 5-day video-based mini course that teaches you everything you need to know about PFAS—complete with an Action Sheet, Shopping Guide, and more.
I know PFAS can be scary, but there is a LOT you can do to reduce your exposure. By staying informed and making small changes in your daily life, you can help reduce your exposure to PFAS and other harmful chemicals.
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