California act update: ab652 prohibits the use of PFAS in youth products

Latest limitations and management of PFAS

On October 5, 2021, the governor of California approved act ab652, which prohibits the sale or distribution of any new youth products containing regulated PFAS after July 1, 2023.

The new law defines "juvenile products" as products for infants and children under the age of 12, and lists 32 products. However, the following products are expressly excluded from the scope of requirements:

• children's electronic products, including but not limited to personal computers, audio and video devices, calculators, wireless phones, game consoles, handheld devices with video screens, or any related peripherals, such as mouse, keyboard, power supply device or power cord;

• medical devices;

• adult mattress;

• internal components of adolescent products that will not come into direct contact with children's skin or mouth during reasonably foreseeable use and abuse.

About PFAS

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) refer to organic compounds containing at least one perfluorocarbon atom (i.e. at least one - CF2 - or - CF3 - fatty chain structural unit). Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOS) and many other compounds.

PFAS can endow products with oil resistance, water resistance, antifouling and anti fouling, chemical resistance and high temperature resistance, reduce surface friction and obtain surface activity. Therefore, it has been widely used in the past.

PFAS was found in food packaging materials (food contact paper and paperboard), consumer products such as antifouling, waterproof fabrics and carpets, leather and clothing, non stick kitchenware (such as Teflon), polishing agent, wax, paint, cleaning products and fire resistant foam.

Some PFAS, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), can remain in the human body for a very long time and have a negative impact on human health. Animal studies have shown that perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) can affect reproduction and development, liver and kidney, and immune system. Both chemicals cause tumors.

The act also requires manufacturers to use the least toxic alternatives when replacing PFAS chemicals in youth products.