PFAS Regulations Could Change Powersports Manufacturing

New federal and state regulations could change the way most powersports gear and products are manufactured. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, or PFAS chemicals, are long lasting chemicals that break down very slowly. They are mainly used in protective coatings on products to resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. Protective coatings on vehicle paint, sweat-resistant materials in gloves and helmets, gaskets and o-rings, and many plastic and rubber parts on vehicles all have this chemical.

But why are lawmakers trying to ban PFAS chemicals? According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “Because of their widespread use and their persistence in the environment, many PFAS are found in the blood of people and animals all over the world and are present at low levels in a variety of food products and in the environment,” and “scientific studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals.”

Right now, Maine has already passed a bill that says by 2023, all manufacturers who use PFAS chemicals are required to give a detailed registration of all products that use them, and will completely ban them by 2030. Colorado has also passed a bill that bans the chemicals in all youth products, except parts that could not come in contact with a child’s skin or mouth.

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