PFAS

What are PFAS?

PFAS is an abbreviation for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. They have also been referred to as fluorocarbons, highly fluorinated substances, and PFCs. The first PFAS substances began to be used in the 1950s, and today there are at least 10,000 unique man-made substances that meet the definition of PFAS: organic substances containing at least one fully fluorinated methyl group or fully fluorinated methylene group, with no hydrogen, chlorine, bromine, or iodine atom attached to it.
PFAS substances include both polymeric and non-polymeric compounds, ranging from small molecules to long or branched chains. The carbon–fluorine bond is extremely strong, making PFAS uniquely stable and difficult to break down.
These unique properties are also the reason why PFAS are used in a wide variety of products. For example, they can provide water-, dirt-, and grease-repellent properties, form smooth films, and withstand high temperatures or corrosive environments.

Why are PFAS a problem?

PFAS comprise a broad group of substances with varying properties. However, several PFAS have been shown to bioaccumulate in living organisms, and many are highly mobile, allowing them to travel long distances through air and water. Combined with the fact that PFAS do not break down naturally—or do so only extremely slowly, often degrading into other PFAS compounds—this has resulted in PFAS being found virtually everywhere today, including in food, drinking water, animals, and plants. Elevated levels of PFAS have been detected in the drinking water supplies of many municipalities in Sweden.
Several PFAS substances have also been linked to adverse health effects. For example, PFOA is toxic to reproduction, may cause elevated cholesterol levels, and is suspected of being carcinogenic. PFOS, on the other hand, has been associated with impaired immune function and may reduce the effectiveness of vaccinations.
As a result, the widespread use and environmental dispersion of PFAS pose significant risks to both human health and the environment.
 

Where are PFAS used?

PFAS are commonly used in a wide range of products and applications due to their unique chemical properties. They are found as refrigerants in heat pumps and similar systems, in film-forming products, construction materials, and electronic equipment. PFAS have also been widely used in the surface treatment and waterproofing of clothing, upholstery fabrics, and footwear, as well as in non-stick coatings for frying pans, ski wax, cosmetics, and firefighting foams.
Until recently, PFAS were also commonly used in food packaging and grease-resistant paper. However, significant progress has been made in replacing PFAS in these and several other consumer-oriented product groups through substitution efforts.
Looking at the entire life cycle of PFAS-containing products, releases to the environment can occur at every stage—from the production of PFAS chemicals and subsequent manufacturing processes, to the use of products containing PFAS, and finally during incineration or disposal when the products become waste.
Currently, only a limited number of PFAS substances are specifically regulated. A proposal for a broad restriction on PFAS is presently being considered within the European Union. In addition to this proposed PFAS-wide restriction, other regulations already affect certain PFAS uses, including the F-Gas Regulation, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) for food packaging, and regulations governing the use of firefighting foams.
 

Substitution of PFAS

Because the properties of PFAS are often unique, identifying suitable alternatives can take time. The first step should always be to question whether the specific property provided by PFAS is truly necessary for the intended application.
Information on possible alternatives can be found through resources such as POPFREE and the ChemSec Marketplace, which provide guidance and examples of safer substitute substances and technologies.
 

More about POPFREE 

More about ChemSec Marketplace and other tools for finding alternatives

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