SACRAMENTO – Gov. Gavin Newsom’s veto of Senate Bill 682, which would have banned the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS from consumer products, is a deeply disappointing setback for health and environmental protection in California, the Environmental Working Group says.

By rejecting this commonsense legislation, the governor is siding with chemical industry interests over the safety of California families. And this veto will ultimately shift the costs of cleaning up PFAS contamination of tap water to consumers, rather than ending a source of PFAS pollution.

SB 682, authored by Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica), would have banned toxic PFAS from cookware, cleaning products, dental floss and other everyday household items. These harmful substances are linked to cancer, immune system harm, reproductive and developmental problems, and reduced vaccine effectiveness.

“Californians deserve protection from toxic PFAS in the products they use to cook, clean and care for their families,” said Susan Little, EWG’s California Legislative Director. “Instead, the governor’s veto leaves consumers unnecessarily exposed to these dangerous chemicals – and paying dearly for their clean up – for years to come.”