France has handed a legislation banning the usage of “forever chemicals” – perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – in cosmetics and clothes, citing considerations over their environmental persistence and potential well being dangers.
The legislation, which is to take impact initially of 2026, bans the manufacture, import, export and sale of beauty merchandise, clothes and sneakers containing PFAS.
The ban additionally extends to wax merchandise that comprise PFAS substances, similar to these used to wax skis, however doesn’t cowl protecting clothes and footwear similar to that worn by safety guards and firefighters.
PFAS consists of greater than 10,000 completely different chemical compounds, a lot of that are extremely poisonous and may accumulate and persist for terribly lengthy durations of time. The substances are suspected of inflicting liver harm in addition to kidney and testicular most cancers.
Due to their distinctive traits, they’re utilized in many merchandise, from clothes to cooking utensils and carpets.
The new legislation additionally consists of the duty to examine sooner or later for the presence of perpetually chemical compounds in consuming water, following warnings from environmentalists and members of the water trade that PFAS may be detected in faucet water.
The authorities plans to suggest up to date well being requirements relating to perpetually chemical compounds in consuming water throughout the subsequent yr.
Initially, the ban was additionally to use to kitchen utensils however was watered down after French producers raised considerations that such a ban would lead to job losses.
Source: www.dailysabah.com