France just voted to ban ‘forever chemicals.’
Whynot the U.S. 
The French Parliament has approved a landmark ban on using “forever chemicals” in common products -- including cosmetics, ski wax and clothing,
a move that could reverberate beyond its borders.
These chemicals, known as #PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, include thousands of compounds manufactured to make products and coatings that repel grease, water, oil and heat.
The persistent chemicals are found in hundreds of household items, including nonstick cookware, menstrual products, dental floss and medicines.
Scientists have found PFAS all across the globe, including in remote regions of Antarctica and in the blood of most Americans.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS exposure can lead to an increased risk of prostate and testicular cancer,
low birth weights, high cholesterol, and negative effects on the liver, hormones and the immune system.
In light of these findings, a patchwork of rules has emerged across the United States and the globe.
The French bill, which must be signed into law by President Emmanuel Macron, bans the manufacturing, import and sale of PFAS in covered products by January 2026
and extends to all textiles in 2030, with some exceptions for industrial use and in applications deemed essential for national security.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/02/22/france-pfas-ban-forever-chemicals/
