S187A

The New York State Senate passed legislation banning per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS) from consumer products, advancing a measure similar to one that passed 60-1 in the previous session. Senate Print 187A, sponsored by Sen. Hoylman-Sigal, passed 47-12 on a roll call vote. The bill would prohibit intentionally added PFAS from products including apparel, fast food packaging, firefighting foam, and architectural paint, with a January 1, 2027 implementation date. Exceptions are included for specialty industrial coatings, including solar panel treatments and industrial water treatment applications. Supporters cited health risks associated with PFAS, including cancer, reproductive problems, and kidney damage, and noted that the EPA has determined New York has more dangerous drinking water than any other state. Opponents, led by Sen. Walczyk, argued that PFAS in paint products are non-bioavailable and non-water soluble and therefore pose no human health risk, and raised concerns about economic impacts on the state's $870 million paint market. Sen. Walczyk also questioned whether the ban would force manufacturers to use older paint technology with higher emissions. Sen. Krueger countered that major paint manufacturers already offer PFAS-free alternatives and drew parallels to historical lead paint dangers. The bill includes a three-year compliance timeline for retailers to sell existing inventory.