New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against major chemical companies including 3M, EIDP (DuPont), and Chemours for decades of PFAS pollution linked to cancer, birth defects, and other health problems. The lawsuit alleges the companies knowingly caused toxic PFAS contamination from consumer products. This enforcement action seeks accountability for environmental and public health damages.
NYSDEC proposed first-in-nation regulations designed to prevent PFAS contamination from landfills from entering waterways. The regulations represent a pioneering approach to controlling PFAS emissions from waste management facilities and protecting water resources.
The New York State Office of General Services has issued a GreenNY specification for Apparel and Apparel Textiles dated June 1, 2026. The specification requires apparel purchased by state agencies to be free of intentionally added PFAS, using terms such as 'PFAS-free' or 'PFC-free' on manufacturer documentation. Additional requirements include preferences for 100% natural fiber content, prohibition of antimicrobial/anti-odor/wrinkle-resistant treatments, no PVC/vinyl, and no single-use items. State agencies and vendors supplying apparel to New York State must comply with these procurement specifications.
EPA announced $40,525,000 in new Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) grant funding to address PFAS and emerging contaminants in New York communities. The funding supports testing for PFAS and other emerging contaminants and planning for long-term treatment solutions. This is part of EPA's comprehensive strategy to address PFAS and ensure clean water access for all communities.
New York State launched a pilot program providing free PFAS testing and mitigation rebates for private well owners in Dutchess, Putnam, Orange, Suffolk, Ulster, and Westchester counties. Each county received $1.5 million in funding. Eligible homeowners can receive up to $5,000 for PFAS water treatment systems or up to $10,000 to connect to public water supply when PFOA or PFOS levels exceed 10 ppt (NY's current MCL).
NYSDEC is hosting a virtual meeting series about ongoing actions to protect New York communities from PFAS. The webinars focus on the PFAS Rural Background Study, treatment of landfill leachate, wastewater treatment guidance, sampling of PFAS in biosolids, and drinking water policy. This initiative supports Governor Hochul's State of the State priorities for environmental protection and community education on PFAS risks.
Bill A.01053 clarifies that New York's PFAS firefighting foam law requires manufacturers to recall ALL class B firefighting foam containing PFAS, including products sold or distributed before the original law's effective date. The bill addresses uncertainty about whether the original prohibition applied retroactively.
New York's prohibition on the sale of carpet containing intentionally added PFAS takes effect December 31, 2026. Originally scheduled for 2024, the implementation was postponed by lawmakers in 2023. The prohibition is part of New York's broader carpet Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework. Manufacturers and retailers should prepare for compliance with the PFAS restriction alongside EPR program requirements.
New York enacted legislation (S.1548/A.1502) prohibiting the sale and distribution of menstrual products (pads, tampons, liners, sponges) containing PFAS 'forever chemicals,' heavy metals (lead, mercury), hormone-disrupting parabens, carcinogens (formaldehyde, toluene), triclosan, talc, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. The law is among the most stringent menstrual product regulations in the United States.
NYSDEC proposed expanding DMM-7 guidance to extend current sampling and reporting requirements to soil products produced from biosolids, such as compost and heat-dried products. Facilities that accept biosolids would be required to sample biosolid sources for PFAS and report results. The expanded data collection will inform development of biosolid analytical and operating limits. Public comments were due January 9, 2026.
NYSDEC released a suite of PFAS response actions including finalized wastewater treatment plant guidance designed to protect drinking water and surface waters, and proposed new policies directing facilities that handle biosolids to sample for PFAS and report results. The draft policies would extend current sampling and reporting requirements to soil products produced from biosolids, such as compost and heat-dried products. The expanded data collection will inform development of biosolid analytical and operating limits.
NYSDEC issued final wastewater treatment plant guidance to protect drinking water and other surface waters from PFAS contamination. The guidance is part of a comprehensive suite of PFAS response actions intended to protect communities. This complements the TOGS 1.3.14 permitting strategy for Publicly Owned Treatment Works implementing guidance values for PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-dioxane.
New York State launched a pilot program offering PFAS testing and mitigation rebates for private well owners in six counties. The program provides testing at no cost and offers rebates to help cover treatment costs if PFAS contamination is detected, supporting families in protecting their drinking water from 'forever chemicals.'
NYSDEC has proposed revisions to DER-24 policy, which provides guidance on when the Department will provide alternate water supplies for private wells impacted by PFAS contamination. The proposed updates address conditions under which DEC will assist communities and property owners affected by PFAS contamination in their drinking water sources. Public comments are due by February 10, 2026.
NYSDEC is accepting comments following a pre-rulemaking stakeholder meeting on the PFAS in Apparel Law. The agency noted that certain modifications are outside the scope of its rulemaking authority, including the definition of PFAS, the definition of 'intentionally added chemicals,' and applicable deadlines. A recording and slides from the meeting are available on the NYSDEC website.
NY Senate Bill S1493 proposes to classify PFAS as a high toxicity air contaminant under Section 19-0333 of the Environmental Conservation Law. The bill would require fenceline monitoring programs for PFAS emissions impacting disadvantaged communities, with an effective date set at 180 days post-enactment.
Senate Bill S8933A proposes to prohibit the sale, offering for sale, or manufacture of photovoltaic modules containing PFAS as intentionally added chemicals in New York State. If enacted, the prohibition would take effect on January 1, 2028. This proposed legislation extends PFAS product restrictions to the solar energy sector, requiring photovoltaic module manufacturers to eliminate intentionally added PFAS from their products.
New York's prohibition on apparel containing intentionally added PFAS took effect January 1, 2025. NYSDEC must establish PFAS threshold levels in apparel by regulation by January 1, 2027. A separate ban on outdoor apparel for severe wet conditions containing PFAS takes effect January 1, 2028. The law covers stain resistance, water and oil repellency applications of PFAS in textile products.
New York State Senate Bill S3207A (2025-2026 Legislative Session) proposes establishing maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) and a hazard index in drinking water for certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The bill would expand New York's current drinking water standards, which currently regulate PFOA and PFOS at 10 ppt each. The legislation is in the proposal stage and has not yet been enacted.
New York State Senate Bill S4574B (2025-2026 Legislative Session), titled the 'PFAS Discharge Disclosure Act,' proposes new disclosure requirements for PFAS discharges. If enacted, the legislation would require reporting of PFAS releases to waterways, creating new compliance obligations for facilities with PFAS-containing discharge streams. The bill is in the proposal stage.