On Tuesday, Gov. Ned Lamont held a bill signing ceremony by the Farmington River in Windsor for a new state law banning the use of firefighting foam and food packaging containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
The substances are commonly known as PFAS, a large group of man-made, so-called “forever chemicals” used in a variety of materials and products around the world.
The new law bans the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam, or “AFFF,” effective October 1, 2021.
Effective immediately, AFFF is not permitted for use in training activities. The law also phases out PFAS-containing food packaging by 2023, which allows time for the food and packaging industries to develop safe alternatives per the state’s desires.