PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) in Consumer Products

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These are a large group of manmade chemicals that repel oil and water. Some PFAS take centuries to break down, and even once they have broken down, they can form other PFAS.

PFAS are used to make products water, grease, and stain-resistant. People can be exposed to PFAS through eating food, drinking water, breathing PFAS-polluted air, and accidentally ingesting dust.

After a buildup of PFAS exposure in the body, there are common health risks that become linked to those build ups. A variety of these health effects include: higher cholesterol levels, lower infant birth weights, weakened immune response, and increased risk of some cancers. 

Yes; more information will become available as we approach the effective dates. 

For other questions about this law, reach out to DEM.pfasproduct@dem.ri.gov 

Intentionally added PFAS means PFAS added to a covered product or one of its product components to provide a specific characteristic, appearance, or quality or to perform a specific function. This also includes any degradation byproducts of PFAS or PFAS that are intentional breakdown products of an added chemical. The use of PFAS as a processing agent, mold release agent, or intermediate is considered an intentional introduction for the purposes of this chapter, where PFAS is detected in the final covered product.

The statute specifically enumerates the following non-exhaustive list of examples of covered cookware: pots, pans, skillets, grills, baking sheets, baking molds, trays, bowls, and cooking utensils.  RIDEM considers additional items to fall into the “cookware” category if those items are used to “prepare, dispense, or store food, foodstuffs or beverages” in accordance with the statutory definition.  For example, electric cookware and coffee pots and refrigerator ice trays are also considered covered in Rhode Island if any product or component part that contains PFAS and makes contact with the food/beverage or person using it. However, an internal component that a consumer would never touch nor touches the food/beverage product, would be beyond the intent of the law.