BILL NUMBER: S1767
SPONSOR: FERNANDEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
prohibiting the manufacture, sale, and use of cookware containing poly-
tetrafluoroethylene
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to prohibit the manufacture, sale and use of
cookware containing polytetrafluoroethylene (teflon).
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISION:
Section 1: Gives the definitions of cookware and polytetrafluoroethy-
lene, as used in the title and describes the rules, regulations of the
prohibition and when it will take place.
Section 2: This act shall take effect immediately.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The use of teflon has been a health concern for the past few decades due
to its previous use of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in its nonstick
coating. Although the use of PFOA in teflon was phased out by 2015 by
major manufacturers, the GenX chemical, hexafluoropropylene (HFPO),
which is typically used to replace PFOA, has been proven to possibly be
just as or even more dangerous than the chemical it was meant to
replace. Both PFOA and HFPO are within the family of polyfluoroalkyl
substances (PFAS) which are known to have severe health effects such as
harm to reproductive and bodily functions, developmental effects in
youth, increased cancer risk and increased risk for high cholesterol and
obesity. According to the EPA, Animal studies have shown HFPOs to cause
negative effects to the liver, kidneys, immune system and offspring
development. Although research on GenX chemicals is still lacking in
many areas, we should not leave people vulnerable to the potential nega-
tive health effects. This bill would ban the manufacture, sale and use
of cookware containing polytetrafluoroethylene in order to protect the
health of New Yorkers.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S9143 / A9475
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
TBD.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect, immediately.