PFAS in Products

PFAS are used in consumer products for their oil and water repellant properties, their ability to create low friction surfaces, heat and chemical stability, and for their properties that allow for liquids to be spread evenly.

What consumer products contain PFAS?

PFAS can be found in a variety of consumer products including:

Recent studies have evaluated the prevalence and concentration of PFAS in various consumer products. Researchers found the highest concentrations of PFAS in household firefighting products, textile finishing agents, and household chemicals, and found 72 different types of PFAS used in textiles.

Avoiding PFAS in products

Until the PFAS label is available on products in New Mexico, NMED recommends the following online resources for information on PFAS-free purchasing:

• Ecology Center’s PFAS-free product catalog 
• PFAS Central recommendations 

New Mexico’s PFAS Protection Act

The PFAS Protection Act, passed by the New Mexico Legislature in April 2025, is an innovative, science-based law to help protect residents from exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals.” This visionary approach is necessary to slow New Mexicans’ exposure to these chemicals, as they are known to cause serious health and environment effects.

NMED is enforcing the PFAS Protection Act through the [name], approved by the Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) in April 2026. By phasing out the sale of certain products made with PFAS and requiring a label on products made with PFAS that are still allowed, we hope to encourage manufacturers to develop alternative products without PFAS and retailers to promote them. The product label improves transparency and makes it easy to identify products that contain PFAS, empowering purchasers to select available PFAS-free alternatives with confidence.

Beginning in 2027, certain cookware, food packaging, dental floss, and children’s products sold in New Mexico cannot be made with intentionally added PFAS. On January 1, 2028, the prohibition expands to include carpets, cleaning items, cosmetics, fabrics, feminine hygiene products, textiles, ski wax, and upholstered furniture. New Mexico will also require manufacturers to tell consumers if they have added PFAS in products by placing a PFAS symbol on the product, its packaging, websites, or product manuals and other literature. By January 1, 2032, virtually all non exempt products containing intentionally added PFAS are prohibited unless deemed a “currently unavoidable use” by the EIB.

Manufacturers of products that contain intentionally added PFAS must also begin reporting detailed information about PFAS content in their products by 2027. The legislation includes important exemptions — such medical devices and electronics — where PFAS is essential and does not pose serious harm to those using the products.

Rulemaking Process and Previous Engagement Opportunities

Under the PFAS Protection Act, the New Mexico Environment Department was required to pass rules through the Environmental Improvement Board, or EIB, to govern the processes, requirements, and enforcement of the new law.

NMED filed its proposed rules to govern the processes, requirements, and enforcement of the new law to the EIB (PDF) on October 8, 2025. In addition, NMED opened a public comment portal for those wishing to provide feedback on the proposed rules. Additional materials related to the rulemaking and EIB process are available on EIB’s “Docked Matters” page.

As part of the rulemaking process, NMED has and will continue holding a series of public engagements to allow New Mexicans to learn and ask questions about the PFAS Protection Act:

• Stakeholder Webinar —Thursday, September 25, 2025
  • Presentation Slides (PDF)
  • Full Webinar Recording (YouTube)
• Public Informational Webinar — Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 1 p.m. MT
  • Presentation Slides (PDF)
  • Full Webinar Recording (YouTube)
• NMED Presentation at NMSU PFAS Event — Friday, May 1, 2026
  • Presentation Slides (PPTX)