France has taken a bold step in the fight against harmful chemicals by approving a ban on PFAS—also known as “forever chemicals.”
The new legislation, which passed in a vote 231-51 and is widely supported by French citizens, needs to be signed into law by French President Emmanuel Macron, according to The Washington Post. But, it comes at a time when a growing number of countries are cracking down on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) for their harmful effects on our health, including increased risks of prostate and testicular cancer, high cholesterol, low birth weight, and immune system dysfunction, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The U.S., on the other hand, has yet to take such a wide-sweeping stance on these synthetic chemicals. Here’s what you need to know about France’s ban and how to stay healthy.
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The Problem With PFAS
PFAS are used to make products resistant to water, oil, grease, and heat. They’re found in everything from food packaging to clothing, household items, beauty products, children’s toys, and more.
Since they’re so unnaturally produced out of manmade chemicals, they take a long time to break down, which is why they’ve been found in concerning amounts in drinking water, soil, air, and food, according to the EPA. They have also been found in humans and animals.
The EPA’s list of adverse health effects that have been linked to exposure of PFAS include:
- decreased fertility or increased high blood pressure in pregnant women
- Developmental effects or delays in children
- Increased risk of some cancers, including prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers
- Reduced immune system function
- hormone disruptions
- Increased cholesterol levels or risk of obesity
France vs. The U.S.: Tackling PFAS
France’s new ban on PFAS prohibits the manufacture, import, and sale of PFAS in certain products by January 2026, with a broader ban on all textiles by 2030. While it has some exceptions, (PFAS will still be allowed for use in industrial products or national security needs), it is now one of the most strict moves against PFAS in the world.
Meanwhile, the U.S. does not have a sweeping ban on PFAS. Instead, the EPA has set limits for six specific PFAS chemicals in U.S. drinking water. The agency also continues to study the effects of forever chemicals on humans and animals, with its latest study released in Jan. 2025 that linked PFAS found in farm fertilizers to health risks in farmers, their livestock, and the environment.
Individual states across the U.S. have taken the fight against harmful chemicals into their own hands.
Thirty states have introduced and adopted laws addressing PFAS, including New York, New Jersey, California, Arizona, Washington, and more, according to Safer States. Minnesota’s “Amara’s Law” is among the most comprehensive, which is banning PFAS in 11 product categories in 2025 and phasing out nonessential uses by 2032. It is also requiring companies to state whether or not they use PFAS in their products by next year.
While the U.S. remains slow to act at the federal level, state-level efforts continue to build momentum. Whether the U.S. will follow France’s lead remains uncertain, but with mounting health concerns and public pressure, the demand for action is only growing.
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How to Limit Your Exposure to PFAS
You can check if your local water supply has PFAS contamination using resources like the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Tap Water Database.
Next, invest in a reverse osmosis or activated carbon water filter for your sink. Choose fresh foods over packaged whenever possible, and avoid nonstick cookware with PTFE (Teflon).
When shopping for household items, beauty products, toys, or clothing, look for PFAS-free labels, or natural, “clean” products.
