Futureproofing for Healthcare: PFAS Compliance for 2025 and Beyond

This panel discussion featured industry experts sharing insights on recently passed legislation and California’s 2025 PFAS regulations, specifically their impact on healthcare contract furnishings and textiles. The panel included:

Betsy Phillips | Director, Environmental and Strategic Initiatives, Maharam

Betsy has over 20 years of experience working for significant industry organizations such as Steelcase, Gensler, and Maharam. Having managed Maharam’s environmental efforts since she began at Maharam fifteen years ago, Betsy is intimately acquainted with textile componentry and, due to her specialized technical textile knowledge earned throughout her tenure at Maharam, she has become a trusted educational resource and sustainability specialist for some of our top clients including Gensler, Google, Harvard, Apple, and Kaiser. Betsy also works closely with governmental organizations on public efforts regarding chemical regulating, advocating for their disuse.

Christopher E. Helt, PhD | Director, GreenScreen, Clean Production Action

Dr. Chris Helt joined Clean Production Action as the Director of the GreenScreen Program in 2024. With over fifteen years of experience in the fields of chemical safety, sustainability standards, and environmental health, Chris’ expertise extends to comprehensive research in toxicology and environmental science, developing sustainability metrics, and guiding multidisciplinary teams towards achieving strategic objectives. Among his contributions is the development of the Beauty and Personal Care Product Sustainability Rating System, which integrates complex environmental and toxicological data into actionable metrics for retailers and manufacturers.

Vickie Rush CID, LEED AP ID+C, WELL AP | Associate, Senior Interior Designer, Stantec

Vickie brings more than 25 years of experience in commercial interior design. She has worked on a wide range of project types and delivery models for various public and private sector clients across North America. As a Leader on Stantec's Healthy Material council, she has inspired and promoted the use of safer products on Stantec projects. Vickie has led all phases of design, from programming and planning through construction documents and construction administration, as well as furniture specifications and documentation. Her passion is understanding how the built environment can affect human health and wellness.

Kathleen Egan | CEO Ecomedes

Kathleen Egan is champion for sustainability and equality. She is currently the CEO and Co-founder of ecomedes, the largest B2B SaaS platform for efficient product evaluation and communication across the $1T building product supply chain. She also serves as the Chairman of the Board of The 5 Gyres Institute, the leading non-profit working to reduce the harm from plastic pollution.

Thaddeus Owen, Director | Product Stewardship, MillerKnoll

Thaddeus Owen is the Director of Product Stewardship at MillerKnoll, a leading design manufacturer known for its commitment to sustainability. In this role, Thaddeus co-leads the Global Product Stewardship Team, focusing on developing safe and healthy products by eliminating hazardous substances and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Thaddeus is committed to creating products that are both innovative and environmentally responsible, aligning with MillerKnoll's mission to design a healthier and more sustainable future.

 The panel was moderated by Mara Dermer of Pivot Interiors.

The event focused on the pressing issue of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)—widely known as "forever chemicals"—and their presence in healthcare environments. These synthetic chemicals, valued for their resistance to heat, oil, and water, are commonly found in medical products, building materials, and furnishings. However, their nickname, "forever chemicals," stems from their extreme persistence in both the environment and the human body. The discussion explored California’s evolving regulatory landscape, the growing body of evidence linking PFAS exposure to serious health risks such as cancer and liver damage, and the healthcare industry’s efforts to transition toward safer, sustainable alternatives. Panelists underscored the urgency of phasing out PFAS, especially in clinical settings, where patients—often with weakened immune systems—are particularly vulnerable to the long-term health impacts of these enduring contaminants.

A key topic of discussion centered on the health risks posed by PFAS exposure in healthcare environments. Over time, furniture and textiles in hospitals can degrade, releasing dust that may be ingested—an especially serious concern for vulnerable patients. In response, the industry is working to develop sustainable alternatives and adopt best practices for designing healthier spaces. Thaddeus Owen, Director of Product Stewardship at MillerKnoll, shared the company’s proactive efforts to eliminate PFAS from textiles and other product components, going beyond California’s regulatory requirements. MillerKnoll has committed to phasing out PFAS across its entire product line by May 2025, with the exception of select electrical components where viable alternatives have yet to be identified.

Achieving regulatory compliance while maintaining product durability and performance presents a significant challenge for manufacturers. Collaborative research with academic institutions and independent organizations has been instrumental in validating the performance and safety of PFAS-free textile alternatives. Design professionals and specifiers are advised to prioritize products with verified third-party certifications such as GreenScreen®, Health Product Declarations (HPDs), and inclusion on the Living Building Challenge Red List. Transparent disclosure of chemical constituents and reliance on scientifically validated certifications are essential for informed decision-making and the selection of safer, high-performance materials.

The industry’s trajectory appears optimistic as global regulatory momentum intensifies around PFAS and other hazardous substances. Panelists underscored the critical role of transparency, material innovation, and sustainable manufacturing practices in shaping the next generation of product development. Advancements in emerging technologies—such as bio-based composites and nanofiber materials—are gaining traction as credible, high-performance alternatives to PFAS-treated products. As the demand for accountability grows, the design and specification community is increasingly prioritizing products that align with elevated sustainability and health standards.

Overall, the discussion offered critical insights into navigating evolving PFAS regulations, identifying viable sustainable alternatives, and designing spaces that support human well-being. Panelists underscored the importance of ongoing education, radical transparency, and forward-thinking innovation. As the industry continues to evolve, one message was clear: shaping a healthier future starts with the choices we make today.

Audience questions explored a range of topics including regulatory enforcement, the responsibilities of manufacturers in achieving compliance, and the complexities of specifying PFAS-free products in healthcare environments. The event concluded with a unified call to action—urging collaboration among regulators, manufacturers, healthcare systems, designers, and specifiers to phase out harmful substances and prioritize health and safety in the built environment.

Looking for more resources? We have collected a number of helpful links below.

Understanding Harmful Chemicals:

• Six Classes of Harmful Chemicals – Learn about the six classes of chemicals of concern, including PFAS, and how to avoid them.

Tools for Sustainable Decision-Making:

• Ecomedes – A resource for finding and evaluating sustainable products.
• Clean Production Action – Learn more about safer chemicals, materials, and corporate policies that drive sustainability.
• Living Future - The Red List - A compilation of chemicals identified as the most harmful to human health and the environment.