Silent Spring Institute

Illinois just signed into law legislation banning PFAS in beauty and personal care products. The measure, championed by State Senator Mattie Hunter, makes it unlawful to manufacture or sell a product in the state if it contains any of 13 specified PFAS that were intentionally added during the product’s formulation.

The legislation is part of a broader effort to strengthen consumer protections against harmful chemicals in beauty products—particularly those that disproportionately affect Black women.

“For too long, the cosmetics industry has operated without the kind of oversight we apply to food, medicine and drinking water,” Hunter said. “We are working to close that gap and put Illinois at the forefront of a national movement to hold manufacturers accountable for what goes into their products and onto our skin.”

The news report cites Silent Spring's recent study on hair extensions, which found dozens of hazardous chemicals across a wide range of products, including products made from human hair. The study also found elevated fluorine levels in some samples suggesting the presence of PFAS: https://silentspring.org/news/hair-extensions-contain-many-more-dangerous-chemicals-previously-thought

https://chicagocrusader.com/sen-hunter-bans-beauty-toxins-strengthens-consumer-protections/

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Massachusetts lawmakers are once again considering legislation that would ban toxic PFAS chemicals in food packaging, cookware, firefighting foam and other products.

“The evidence is overwhelming that these are harmful chemicals. The bill goes a long way to addressing existing PFAS contamination and to turning off the tap on future contamination." -- Dr. Laurel Schaider, a senior scientist Silent Spring Institute.

Mass. bills would ban PFAS in food packaging, kids' toys and more More than a dozen states already ban PFAS in some consumer products. Research has linked the toxic "forever chemicals" to health problems including kidney cancer. But some business groups warn the sweeping Massachusetts proposal could be costly and impractical.

Silent Spring scientists will be presenting at the 2026 National PFAS Conference at the University of Arizona from June 8-10.

Topics include:
🔍 Continuing medical education on PFAS for medical and public health professionals
💧How residential history, home water filtration, and bottled water use help explain differences in PFAS blood levels in two communities in Massachusetts
🏠 The influence of housing characteristics on PFAS exposures from the PFAS HOME Study
💦Health impacts in communities with PFAS-contaminated drinking water from the PFAS Multi-site Study

Held every other year, the National PFAS Conference brings together leading scientists, policymakers, community leaders, advocates, attorneys, and journalists to address PFAS exposures, health effects, and accountability.

Learn more about Silent Spring’s work on PFAS: https://silentspring.org/project/everyday-exposures-pfas-chemicals

Explore tools and resources at the PFAS Exchange: https://pfas-exchange.org/