PFAS Update: An Explosion of State Legislation in 2025

As of July 17, 2025, nine states have adopted 17 new per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) regulations, and a total of 36 states are considering 201 bills that would regulate the forever chemicals. This puts the U.S. on track to surpass the total number of bills passed in 2024 (20) and represents an increased interest by state leaders in managing PFAS.

According to an analysis by Safer States, states are taking a more comprehensive approach to regulating PFAS due not only to the serious health risks associated with the forever chemicals but also because of the growing economic burden of cleanup. Many states are expected to introduce more policies targeting industrial discharge, the use of contaminated sludge on farmland, and the removal of unnecessary PFAS from products in 2025. The analysis, published in February, predicted that 29 states would consider a range of PFAS measures, an estimate that has already been surpassed just a few months later.

“States are leading the charge in protecting public health by not only cleaning up toxic pollution but also preventing it from happening in the first place,” said Sarah Doll, national director of Safer States. “No one wants microplastics or chemicals linked to cancer in their food, water, or everyday products. By taking bold action to keep these harmful chemicals out of our communities, states are safeguarding our health and saving money by solving the problem before it begins.”

These regulations come at a time when the federal government has backed off from regulating PFAS. In May, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rolled back regulations for several PFAS substances, including GenX, and delayed compliance deadlines for utilities until 2031 for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin emphasized the move was aimed at supporting small and rural water systems, but public health advocates warn it signals a weakening of federal PFAS protections. In response, states have had to step up their regulation of PFAS without federal leadership to guide monitoring and treatment efforts.