New York sets to ban ‘forever chemicals’ from clothing by end of year

New York is set to ban the use of toxic chemicals in the manufacturing of clothing by the end of the year, according to US media reports.
The law, signed by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, sees the ban of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in apparel and will come into force on December 31, 2023.
Commonly known as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence, PFAS is associated with increased risk of kidney cancer, testicular cancer and other diseases.
Environmental organisations and advocates have been calling for a ban on PFAS chemicals, which are hard to degrade in the natural environment and found in an array of consumer products.
With the decision, New York will be joining California in banning “forever chemicals” from clothing.
Environmental activists have welcomed the strong action by both California and New York to phase out “forever chemicals” in the manufacturing of clothes.