Two New Laws Banning PFAS Signed by New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham

The new laws that ban PFAS in most products and classify firefighter foam as hazardous waste are part of a bill package.

Diana Butron

The U.S. state of New Mexico has some of the highest documented levels of PFAS in the world in wildlife and plants, according to the New Mexico Environmental Department. PFAS in highly contaminated areas come partly from firefighter foam, which is also used by the military and the Department of Defense.

In New Mexico firefighter foam containing PFAS will be now considered as hazardous waste. The House Bill 140 measure is an an effort that will allow the government to regulate such substances and mandate the PFAS cleanup.

This legislation aims to transfer the clean up costs from the taxpayers to the polluters. Also this measure prevents a future expensive remediation, meanwhile avoiding critical industrial applications, said the New Mexico governor.