![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.env.nm.gov\/pfas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2025\/08\/Foam-on-Holloman-1-1024x768.jpg\")
These are often called \u201cforever chemicals\u201d because once they enter our bodies, they stay there forever. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n PFAS exposure has been linked in human studies to increased risks of kidney and testicular cancers, changes in liver function, thyroid disease, elevated cholesterol, pregnancy complications (including gestational hypertension and preeclampsia), lower birth weight, and impacts on the immune system such as reduced vaccine antibody response. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Because many PFAS persist and can build up in the body, even small, repeated exposures over time can matter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n New Mexico is host to some of the nation and world\u2019s most extensive PFAS contamination, especially near military bases where PFAS-laden firefighting foams were used for decades, including at Cannon Air Force Base in Curry County and Holloman Air Force Base in Otero County. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Due to this, the state in recent years has been on the leading of tackling the effects of PFAS contamination, with actions such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The PFAS Protection Act, passed in the 2025 Legislative Session, phases out consumer products with intentionally-added PFAS, making sure forever chemicals don\u2019t find their way into New Mexicans\u2019 homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Starting January 1, 2027, products such as cookware, food packaging, dental floss, juvenile products, and firefighting foam are banned. On January 1, 2028, it expands to include carpets, cleaning items, cosmetics, fabrics, feminine hygiene products, textiles, ski wax, upholstered furniture, By January 1, 2032, virtually all non\u2011exempt products containing intentionally added PFAS are prohibited unless deemed a \u201ccurrently unavoidable use\u201d by the Environmental Improvement Board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Manufacturers must also begin reporting detailed information about PFAS content in their products by 2027. The legislation includes important exemptions and enforcement provisions \u2014 such medical devices and electronic \u2014 where PFAS is essential and does not pose serious harm to those using the products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Under the PFAS Protection Act, the New Mexico Environment Department is required to pass rules through the Environmental Improvement Board, or EIB, to govern the processes, requirements, and enforcement of the new law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n NMED filed its proposed rules to the EIB on Oct. 8. They can be viewed here<\/a>. In addition, NMED has opened a public comment portal<\/a> for those wishing to provide feedback on the proposed rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As part of the rulemaking process, NMED has and held a series of public engagements to allow New Mexicans to ask learn and ask questions about the PFAS Protection Act:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Choose PFAS-free products. <\/strong>PFAS are used in many consumer products like cookware, clothing and food packaging. Limiting exposure at home can reduce your risk. Check your water.<\/strong> If you are on a private well, consider periodic water testing. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" What are PFAS? PFAS which is short for Per- and Poly- Fluoroalkyl Substances are man-made chemicals that do not break down in the environment These are often called \u201cforever chemicals\u201d because once they enter our bodies, they stay there forever. PFAS exposure has been linked in human studies to increased risks of kidney and testicular […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.env.nm.gov\/pfas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.env.nm.gov\/pfas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.env.nm.gov\/pfas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.env.nm.gov\/pfas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.env.nm.gov\/pfas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5"}],"version-history":[{"count":79,"href":"https:\/\/www.env.nm.gov\/pfas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":308,"href":"https:\/\/www.env.nm.gov\/pfas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5\/revisions\/308"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.env.nm.gov\/pfas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}What is New Mexico doing about PFAS contamination?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How do I participate in PFAS Protection Act (HB212) rulemaking?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Rulemaking Process and Engagement Opportunities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Fact Sheets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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How do I protect myself from PFAS in New Mexico<\/span>?<\/h2>\n\n\n
If you do not live near a known contaminated site<\/h3><\/div>
PFAS Central and the Ecology Center provide free guides for PFAS-free purchasing, with many brands sold in New Mexico:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
List of certified private well water testing labs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>If you do live near a contaminated site<\/h3><\/div>
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List of certified private well water testing labs<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
EPA Home Filtration Fact Sheet<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
The New Mexico Department of Health also has guidance on how to talk to your healthcare provider on how to manage your PFAS exposure and its potential health effects:
Department of Health fact sheet on how to manage your PFAS exposure<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n