Bill Banning Cancer-Causing Forever Chemicals from Consumer Products Passes Illinois House

SPRINGFIELD, Ill – Today, the Illinois House passed a bill from Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid (D-Bridgeview) that would regulate PFAS, long-lasting manufactured chemicals, which have been linked to harmful health effects in humans, including cancers.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are widely used, break down slowly, and can contaminate water and soil, making them an ongoing risk to Illinois communities.

“Illinois families deserve the peace of mind of knowing that when they buy cookware or a toy for their kids that they’re not exposing themselves to carcinogenic forever chemicals,” said Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid. “PFAS are in the blood of 97% of Americans, increase cancer risks, and decrease fertility. It’s absolutely the right thing to regulate these dangerous chemicals and I hope the Illinois senate passes this bill quickly so we can keep our communities safe.”

HB2516 would ban the sale of products that contain PFAS including, food packaging, cookware, cosmetics, dental floss, menstrual products, intimate apparel, and products for children.

“Our science-based understanding of the dangers of PFAS only continues to grow, and with it, the public’s support for intervening in this expanding environmental and public health crisis,” said Jen Walling, Executive Director of the Illinois Environmental Council. “IEC is proud to support the work Rep. Rashid is doing to answer the public’s call for smart policy intervention curbing our exposure to toxic forever chemicals to ensure a safer, healthier future for all Illinoisans and our ecosystems.”