Assemblymember Diane Papan Introduces Groundbreaking Legislation

to Safeguard Women's Health: The T.A.M.P.O.N. Act (AB 2515)

March 12, 2024 - SACRAMENTO, CA - Assemblymember Diane Papan has introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 2515 -- T.A.M.P.O.N. Act (Take All Menstrual Product PFAS Out Now). This critical piece of legislation aims to address the adverse health impacts of PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) in menstrual products, prioritizing the well-being of women, girls, and individuals who use these essential products.

"The T.A.M.P.O.N. Act is a crucial step toward protecting the health of millions of women and girls who use menstrual products,” said Papan. “By setting a maximum contamination threshold and exploring safer alternatives, we are actively working to mitigate the long-term health risks associated with PFAS exposure."

AB 2515 proposes a practical and urgently needed maximum contamination threshold of PFAS at 10 parts per million (ppm) for all menstrual products by 2027. Additionally, the bill mandates the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to collaborate with stakeholders in evaluating chemical alternatives to PFAS, ensuring that the regulation of one harmful chemical is not replaced with another equally hazardous alternative.

PFAS, often referred to as "forever chemicals," have been prevalent in numerous everyday products due to their resistance to water, oil, and heat. Scientific research, however, has linked these chemicals to severe health problems, including breast and other cancers, hormone disruption, kidney and liver damage, thyroid disease, developmental harm, and immune system disruption.

”Drinking water monitoring to date has detected PFAS in the drinking water sources of over 25 million Californians, causing additional human exposures,” Andria Ventura, Legislative and Policy Director at Clean Water Action. “They get there from the use and disposal of products containing these toxic chemicals.  We can’t treat our way out of such a huge problem.  Clearly, the answer is to stop contaminating our environment at the source by restricting use of PFAS for all non-essential uses.”

While California has made strides in eliminating PFAS from various products, including clothes, children’s toys, cookware, food packaging, and cosmetics, menstrual products have remained unregulated. AB 2515 seeks to rectify this gap in regulation by establishing safeguards to limit PFAS exposure through menstrual products.

“Access to safe menstrual products is essential to the reproductive health of the more than 72 million people who menstruate in the United States. But research has shown that PFAS — forever chemicals that are linked to decreased fertility, high blood pressure in pregnant people, low birthweight in babies, and more — are present in many menstrual products” said Shannon Olivieri Hovis, Director of Reproductive Freedom for All California. “Reproductive Freedom for All California is proud to support AB 2515 to help protect reproductive health.”
Source: Assemblymember Diane Papan