PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) aka forever chemicals are a group of man-made chemicals that have been used in a variety of industrial products and applications. These chemicals have been found to be persistent in the environment, and can remain in the body for long periods of time. Learn how technology will change the game.
Chemicals are present in the food we eat and the air we breathe, but not all are harmful. Synthetic chemicals have been used in commercial production for almost a century. But awareness is growing on the use of toxic man-made chemicals in the manufacture of products that affect the food we eat and the clothes we wear. Fortunately, legislation is in place to prevent the use of dangerous chemicals in the manufacture of products for human use and consumption in most of the developed world. But researchers do not know all the hazards of all the chemicals yet. More regulations are being enacted every year to protect us from further damage. Measures are being put in place to track and monitor chemical compliance using the latest technology. The hope is that we will be able to limit further damage to the environment and human health.
What are forever chemicals?
These harmful substances are known as forever chemicals because they break down so slowly – some may take 1000 years to degrade. Technically, they are referred to as PFAS, short for perfluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances. PFAS are present in nonstick Teflon cookware, water-repellent clothing and other items, stain-resistant fabrics, and cosmetics. Teflon is used in a variety of industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical, and industrial for applications such as bearings, seals, and other components. The PFAS are used to resist grease, water and oil and are widely used in the manufacturing of take-out food boxes. Even if the item in which these chemicals found breaks down, PFAS are often left behind.
PFAS in the USA
Many states have targeted the use of PFAS in multiple product categories, including heavy-duty garments, cookware, cosmetics, carpets, food packaging, draperies and upholstery. More than 70% of items sold as waterproof or stain-proof in the U.S. contain PFAS, according to a 2022 study by Toxic Free Future. One report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found some level of PFAS in the blood of 97% of the Americans it surveyed.The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) already requires manufacturers to report PFAS usage back to 2011, specifically regarding uses, volumes, disposal, hazards, and exposures. More recently, in September 2022, California passed a law to ban the manufacture, sale or distribution of textile articles, apparel, and outdoor apparel containing intentionally added PFAS by 2025. A similar California law goes into effect on July 1, 2023, that provides a prohibition on selling or distributing any new juvenile product that contains regulated PFAS chemicals. This law covers items such as pillows, bassinets, bedside sleepers, booster seats, changing pads, crib mattresses, floor playmats, highchairs, and many other functional items for children.And most recently, the US Environment Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday 14th March’23 proposed the first national drinking water standard for ‘forever chemicals’ that are dangerous to human health. The proposal is to leverage the latest science and complementing state efforts to establish legally enforceable levels of six PFAS (PFOA, PFOS as individual contaminants and other 4 PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and GenX Chemicals – as a mixture) known to occur in drinking water.
PFAS in Europe
The Forever Pollution Map was created by Le Monde and its 17 partners from a cross-border investigation, the Forever Pollution Project. It is the first map to show the extent of Europe's contamination by PFAS. The map shows PFAS production facilities, some sites where PFAS are used, as well as sites where contamination has been detected and those that are likely to be contaminated. A total of over 17 000 sites have been detected.The Map of Forever Pollution in Europe
