On January 8, 2026, the Massachusetts Legislature took a significant step toward protecting public health by advancing An Act to Protect Massachusetts Public Health from PFAS through the House Joint Committee on Public Health. PFAS, or forever chemicals, are synthetic substances widely used in consumer products and industrial applications. They persist in the environment for thousands of years and pose serious health risks, including cancer, liver disease, immune suppression, and developmental and reproductive disorders, even at very low exposure levels.
The legislation, filed by Representative Kate Hogan and Senator Julian Cyr, aims to phase out PFAS in consumer products, reduce industrial discharges, and establish a dedicated fund to help communities test and remediate contaminated drinking water, soil, and groundwater. Currently, 172 public water systems in 96 Massachusetts cities and towns, along with numerous private wells, exceed the states legal PFAS limits.
Supported by a bipartisan majority of lawmakers and a coalition of public health, environmental, and community organizations, the bill aligns Massachusetts with neighboring New England states, all of which have already restricted PFAS in products such as food packaging, firefighting foam, clothing, and furniture. The Senate version is pending action.