PFAS Massachusetts

January 2027

Massachusetts enacts firefighter gear PFAS ban with 2027 sales prohibition
Governor Maura Healey signed legislation requiring the removal of PFAS from firefighter protective gear. The law bans the sale of bunker gear containing intentionally added PFAS effective January 2027, and requires warning labels on firefighting gear beginning in 2025 to inform firefighters about PFAS content. Massachusetts becomes one of only two states with such comprehensive PFAS protection for firefighters, addressing a significant occupational health concern for fire services personnel.
Massachusetts Firefighter PPE PFAS Ban

June 2026

MassDEP issues guidance for water suppliers on EPA PFAS proposed rules
MassDEP published a Q&A fact sheet for public water suppliers clarifying how EPA's proposed PFAS rescission rule and compliance extension would affect Massachusetts water systems. The guidance confirms Massachusetts' PFAS6 MCL of 20 ppt combined (for PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFNA, PFHpA, PFDA) remains in effect regardless of federal changes, and explains options for seeking PFOA/PFOS compliance deadline exemptions through 2031. The guidance notes that most Massachusetts PFAS exceedances result from PFAS6 levels above the state's 20 ppt standard, demonstrating Massachusetts' standards are often more protective than federal limits.
PFAS Massachusetts

March 2026

Massachusetts S.3034 proposes comprehensive PFAS product restrictions and remediation fund
The Massachusetts Senate Bill 3034 (Massachusetts PFAS Act) was reported by the Joint Committee on Public Health and referred to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. The bill proposes establishing a PFAS Remediation Trust Fund to assist municipalities, public water systems, and private well users with contamination costs; prohibiting Class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS; requiring 24-hour notification to MassDEP for PFAS foam discharges; and directing MassDEP to include PFAS monitoring requirements in surface water and groundwater discharge permits. If enacted, this would create comprehensive statewide PFAS protections for drinking water, consumer products, and environmental discharge.
Massachusetts PFAS Act (S.3034)

EPA grants Massachusetts primacy extension to April 2028 for PFAS drinking water standards
EPA approved MassDEP's request for a Primacy Extension, extending Massachusetts' deadline to promulgate state PFAS drinking water regulations aligned with federal Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) to April 26, 2028. Massachusetts currently enforces a PFAS6 MCL of 20 ppt combined for six PFAS compounds (PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, PFHpA, and PFDA), while federal standards establish 4 ppt individual limits for PFOA and PFOS. MassDEP will propose amendments to state regulations to be at least as stringent as federal MCLs.
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) — PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) — Massachusetts Implementation

January 2026

Massachusetts H.4870 proposes comprehensive PFAS product restrictions
House Bill 4870, reported favorably by the Joint Committee on Public Health with an 'ought to pass' recommendation, would establish a PFAS Remediation Trust Fund for contamination mitigation, ban consumer products with intentionally added PFAS (with temporary exemptions for currently unavoidable uses up to 4 years), require PFAS monitoring in groundwater and surface water discharge permits upon renewal, phase out sludge use without site-specific DEP approval, and mandate a multilingual public awareness campaign on PFAS health impacts. Earlier deadlines would apply to food packaging, children's products, and firefighting PPE.
Massachusetts H.4870 - An Act to Protect Massachusetts Public Health from PFAS

January 2025

PFAS Regulation in Massachusetts: TURA Reporting and Phased Elimination
Massachusetts manages PFAS through a dual-track system. Under TURA, industrial facilities exceeding specific thresholds must track and report their use of listed PFAS categories. Concurrently, new state legislation has established a phased approach to eliminating intentionally added PFAS from consumer goods and industrial discharges to protect environmental justice populations and municipal water systems.
The employee notification deadline is January 1, 2026; TURA reporting and planning are due by July 1, 2026; intentionally added PFAS in specified product categories were subject to elimination as of January 1, 2026; and sales of firefighter turnout gear containing PFAS are prohibited beginning in 2027.
PFAS Massachusetts

Massachusetts expands PFAS reporting under TURA with July 2026-2027 deadlines
Massachusetts has expanded PFAS reporting requirements under the Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA). Seven PFAS were added to the TURA List effective January 1, 2025, with reports due to MassDEP by July 1, 2026. Nine additional PFAS were added effective January 1, 2026, with reports due by July 1, 2027. Reporting thresholds are 100 lbs for individual TRI-listed PFAS compounds and 25,000 lbs manufactured/processed or 10,000 lbs otherwise used for TURA category PFAS. The guidance establishes staggered timelines for TRI reporting, TURA tracking, and DEP reporting obligations across multiple PFAS categories.
Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) - PFAS Reporting Requirements