State Laws Cut 'Forever Chemicals' in 80% of Clothing

Your raincoat and workout pants just got a whole lot safer, thanks to new state laws that are actually making a difference.

Testing of 115 clothing products sold in New York and California revealed that 80% now comply with new PFAS bans that just took effect in January 2025. These laws prohibit the intentional addition of "forever chemicals," which are linked to cancer, birth defects, and kidney disease.

The results shocked even the scientists. Columbia raincoats, Lululemon pants, and Moab shoes from major brands that once relied heavily on PFAS all showed very low levels of the toxic chemicals.

Anna Reade, a senior scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council, said the findings prove that "enacting strong laws is making a difference." What's more remarkable is how fast companies adapted. "These brands all switched, and no one has had to shut down business because they moved away from PFAS," she added.

PFAS are a class of at least 16,000 compounds used to make products waterproof, stain resistant, and grease proof. Dubbed "forever chemicals" because they persist for thousands of years in the environment, they've been found in everything from outdoor gear to yoga pants.

For years, clothing manufacturers claimed switching away from PFAS would be impossible or too expensive. Some said effective alternatives simply didn't exist. The new testing proves those concerns were unfounded.

Major retailers including Levi's, LL Bean, Patagonia, and Old Navy largely eliminated intentionally added PFAS by the end of 2024, just before the laws kicked in. Even Gore-Tex, a longtime PFAS producer, now makes a PFAS-free waterproofing alternative.

The Ripple Effect

The success in New York and California is already influencing the entire industry. Companies don't want to manufacture different products for different states, so they're switching to PFAS-free alternatives across their entire supply chains.

About 70% of tested products contained only trace amounts of PFAS, likely from unintentional contamination during manufacturing rather than deliberate addition. Factories use PFAS lubricants on machinery, which can leave residue on finished goods.

Some companies are still violating the laws. Producers of diapers, outdoor furniture, and pet products accounted for most violations and could face enforcement action from state attorneys general.

The market shift happened remarkably fast. New York and California passed their laws in 2022, giving companies just over two years to reformulate products. The quick transition shows that when policy creates clear expectations, industry can innovate and adapt.

The message to holdout companies is clear: safer alternatives exist, they work, and consumers deserve protection regardless of where they shop.