New York State Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Ban on PFAS & Toxic Chemicals in Menstrual Products Act into law last week. The bill protects women from exposure to toxic chemicals found in menstrual products sold in New York State. In doing so, New York joins California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Minnesota, and Rhode Island in restricting PFAS in menstrual products, but goes beyond these states by also restricting other harmful chemicals such as parabens and heavy metals.

“Women and femmes of color are already disproportionately exposed to toxic chemicals in their lived environment, and even more so from beauty products that are marketed towards them. One way to reduce this dangerous exposure is to ban toxic chemicals in period products, which pose a heightened risk given their use in absorptive areas of the body as well as their duration of use. This crucial legislation for menstruators’ health will prohibit the use of chemicals such as PFAS, talc, formaldehyde, synthetic fragrances and so many more. All of these toxins are closely linked to resulting in cancer, contribute to fertility and reproductive challenges, reduce immune function, and interfere with hormones,” says Briana Carbajal, State Legislative Manager at WE ACT for Environmental Justice.

WE ACT for Environmental Justice, as part of the JustGreen Partnership it co-chairs with Clean+Healthy, had been advocating for this legislation, which was passed unanimously by both chambers of the New York State Legislature earlier this year. This bill regulates the sale and distribution of menstrual products (pads, tampons, liners, sponges, etc.) in New York State that contain restricted substances or unsafe chemicals, including PFAS “forever chemicals,” heavy metals like lead and mercury, hormone disrupting parabens, and carcinogens like formaldehyde.

“We thank New York State Senator Nathalia Fernandez and New York Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal for their strong leadership in sponsoring this legislation, along with our fellow advocates for helping advance it, and Governor Hochul for signing it into law,” adds Carbajal. “We look forward to working with the legislature during the 2026 session to advance the Beauty Justice Act, which restricts the use of many of the same harmful chemicals from all personal care products and cosmetics sold in New York State.