First-in-Nation PFAS Paper Food Ban Delayed in Washington State (2)

Washington state’s first-in-the-nation ban on “forever chemicals” in paper food packaging will be delayed, state officials said Dec. 19.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill in March 2018 that banned consumer products like microwaveable popcorn bags from containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which have been linked to developmental issues in children, thyroid problems, and certain cancers.

The ban was to take effect in January 2022, but only if the state Department of Ecology identified safer PFAS alternatives by Jan. 1, 2020. That won’t happen due to staff changes and the complexity of assessing alternatives, officials ...